Eagles to release Darius Slay | What’s next for the team at cornerback
Slay #Slay
Eagles cornerback Darius Slay has been one of the best players at his position for a long time and was a key component in a defense that finished first in pass defense (179.8 yards per game), helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl last season. However, he will be playing for another team next season after he and the team could not come to an agreement about his contract.
According to a source, Slay will be released and, according to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, the move will be made after June 1. Over The Cap states releasing Slay after June 1 would alleviate the dead money on his contract from $22.4 million to $8.6 million. Slay tweeted Wednesday morning that his time in Philadelphia was ending.
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“Nothing but love Philly!!,” Slay said. “Lets see where we heading next..”
NFL reporter Derrick Gunn said Slay was seeking a three-year contract extension, but the Eagles were not willing to do it. Gunn added that after the Eagles allowed Slay to pursue a trade partner and nothing was able to come to fruition, the decision was made to release him.
Slay was an NFLPA All-Pro this season, having three interceptions, 15 passes defended, 63 tackles, and, according to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks have a rating of 76.9 when throwing into his coverage.
The move comes a day after the Eagles signed James Bradberry to a three-year deal that could be worth as much as $44 million. The Eagles will have to decide who will fill the other cornerback position opposite Bradberry. The Eagles will likely keep Avonte Maddox in the slot. On the roster, Zech McPhearson could be someone who will be given a chance to step up and compete for the starting role. However, with two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, the Eagles could use one of those selections on a cornerback.
Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, and Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. are the three top cornerbacks who are expected to go early in the first round, and one of the three could be there with the 10th pick, the higher of the two first-round selections the Eagles have. Both Gonzalez and Witherspoon could be the two players at the top of their board, but, if the Eagles decided to trade back a couple of spots, Porter Jr. could be the selection. Also keep an eye on Georgia’s Kelee Ringo, who could be the target with either the 30th pick or if they trade back and swap picks with a team selecting early in the second round.
If the Eagles decide to go the veteran route, they could use some of the $17 million in cap space they get after June 1 and see if a team jettisons someone to fill in the spot. They could also sign a player who was initially seeking a long-term deal at the beginning of free agency and would be willing to sign a one-year, “prove it” type deal, similar to what Bradberry went through last offseason.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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