The Philadelphia Eagles are ready to see various key free brokers stroll out the door when NFL free company begins subsequent week.
They’re additionally apparently open to seeing one other key defensive starter traded.
The Eagles have allowed Darius Slay’s agent (Drew Rosenhaus, ever heard of him?) to hunt a commerce, based on a report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini. She provides that the workforce is “nonetheless hopeful to discover a resolution the place Slay stays an Eagle.”
Russini was additionally amongst a number of reporters who said that Slay didn’t request a commerce.
So, what’s to make of this?
Properly, Slay himself mentioned he needs a brand new contract:
“I need an extension with the Eagles. I like the Eagles. I like that cash, so after all I’m going to be speaking about it this offseason. “
— Darius Slay lately on @MontgomeryCoPod.
Whether or not he requested for permission to hunt a commerce or not, Slay probably needs to gauge his worth.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 10, 2023
However his wishes won’t line up with what the Eagles take note of. Do they need to signal Slay, who turned 32 in January, to a multi-year deal on the quantity he’s searching for?
The reply to that query is “clearly not” in the event that they’re permitting Slay’s agent to search for a workforce who will give him what he needs.
Now, that isn’t to say the Eagles will certainly transfer on from Slay. They might in all probability desire to maintain him whereas restructuring his contract to decrease his $26.1 million cap quantity this 12 months. However can the 2 sides agree on a path to maneuver ahead?
For what it’s value, the Eagles can solely clear $3.7 million in cap house by buying and selling Slay forward of June 1. And that’s with $22.4 million in useless cash. The Eagles would clear $8.6 million in 2023 and $13.8 million in 2024 in the event that they traded him after June 1 … however having to attend that lengthy wouldn’t be superb. It’s arduous to see the marketplace for his providers getting higher after groups signal corners in free company and choose them in a 2023 NFL Draft class that’s anticipated to supply high quality expertise on the place.
Some have questioned if the Eagles having a willingness to ship out Slay means they plan to maintain James Bradberry as a substitute. That’s in all probability not the case. Once more, it’s not like buying and selling Slay frees up a whole lot of funds. And Bradberry is predicted to command a giant cash contract in free company. The Eagles don’t appear poised to beat out all different multi-year affords for a cornerback coming into his age 30 season.
Some have additionally questioned how the Eagles passing on Dennard Wilson (whom Slay notably endorsed) at defensive coordinator and/or their rumored curiosity in Matt Patricia (whom Slay clearly doesn’t like) have factored in to this case. These are undoubtedly notable wrinkles however the supply of competition
I may very well be incorrect however the guess right here is that Slay’s agent gained’t be capable to discover a workforce that’s each 1) keen to pay Slay what he needs AND 2) give up a return that the Eagles deem to be commensurate commerce worth. However does that growth immediate Slay to again off his demand for a brand new deal? Will the Eagles give in? We’ll simply have to attend and see how this performs out.
The Eagles will surely be a worse workforce with out Slay in 2023. However there’s a case to be made that transferring on is a prudent long-term resolution, particularly if it means avoiding dedicating more cash to a participant at a place that doesn’t age nicely.
The Eagles are probably going to retool their total protection and take a step again, nevertheless it feels prefer it’s Howie Roseman saying “we obtained outdated, gradual, and costly actual fast after the final Tremendous Bowl and that won’t occur once more.”
— Joe Dolan (@FG_Dolan) March 10, 2023
Slay has made the Professional Bowl in every of the previous two seasons and in 5 of the final six (missed it in a down 12 months in 2020). He’s demonstrated the power to erase opposing No. 1 extensive receivers, resembling he did with Justin Jefferson in Week 2 final 12 months.
Nevertheless it’s arduous to argue that Slay completed the season as sturdy as he began it. The man who nicknamed himself “Massive Play” had zero interceptions after selecting off Cooper Rush in Week 6. He additionally made a behavior of throwing teammates beneath the bus (by way of absolving himself of blame) regardless of being named a workforce captain.
If Slay isn’t again, the Eagles might doubtlessly have a completely new beginning secondary subsequent season. Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are anticipated to depart in free company. Marcus Epps can be set to hit the market, although retaining him is a risk. Even so, that’s only one returning starter. And the secondary will likely be beneath a brand new place coach with Wilson departing Philly to affix the Baltimore Ravens.
