5 Key Non-Free Agents The Eagles Will Make Financial Decisions On
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Jeremy Maclin, Brandon Graham, Bradley Fletcher, Nate Allen, Mark Sanchez, Brad Smith, and Casey Matthews. Those are the Philadelphia Eagles' seven unrestricted free agents heading into this crucial 2015 off-season.
With unrestricted free agents, the Eagles can negotiate re-signing these players at what they deem appropriate.
However, there are many key Eagles' players that are under contract for the 2015 season, who provide the team with financial dilemmas. That is where it gets tricky. Let's take a look at some of those players.
James Casey / Brent Celek
I lumped these two players together because their contract situation is extremely similar. With third-year player Zach Ertz ready to takeover the reigns as the team's top tight end and emerging second-year TE Trey Burton exploding as a special teams force, how much money are the Eagles willing to spend on Casey and Celek?
Well, first and foremost, the Eagles---specifically Chip Kelly---loves these two guys. Celek, 29, has played his entire career (eight seasons) in Philadelphia and is the consummate Eagle. The team can release Celek, who is set to make $4.8 million, without any dead money.
Casey, while he doesn't play a tremendous amount of snaps offensively, is extremely versatile and an outstanding special teams player, something Kelly values. Similar to Celek, Casey will make $4 million in 2015, but can also be released without any dead money.
Prediction: Expect at least one of these players, likely Casey, to restructure his deal. And while I don't think it will happen, I wouldn't be completely shocked if Casey was released.
DeMeco Ryans
Ryans, 30, is the Eagles' rock on defense, but after rupturing his Achilles tendon and missing the final eight games of the regular season, his future in Philly has suddenly become cloudy.
"We need DeMeco," Kelly said the day after the Eagles' final game of the season. "I'm a big DeMeco fan. He really sets the tone for everybody on the defensive side of the ball. So it's just a matter of getting DeMeco healthy again."
Ryans continues to rehab from his injury and who knows when he will step onto the field in 2015, a season in which the veteran middle linebacker commands a $6.9 million cap hit.
Prediction: While it seems like Ryans wants to be here and the Eagles want Ryans to be here, he has no leverage coming off of injury. On the flip side, the Eagles don't really have a replacement. I expect Ryans to be back next season, after taking a pay cut.
Cary Williams
To me, this is an easy one. Williams, 30, has had a roller-coaster two years as a Philadelphia Eagle, highlighted by controversial comments and dumb penalties. Williams' cap figure is $8.166 million and the Birds can save $6.5 million by cutting the corner.
Let's re-tool this secondary completely, shall we?
Prediction: See ya, Cary.
Trent Cole
This is the toughest one.
Cole, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive end and lifelong Eagle (10 seasons), turns 33-years-old in October. Cole's cap number in 2015 is an enormous $11.625 million, while the Eagles can save $8.425 by cutting him.
Graham, 26, is a younger, faster, and arguably a better fit for Billy Davis' 3-4 scheme.
Prediction: Eagles re-sign Graham and release Cole
LeSean McCoy
McCoy, 26, has the second highest cap hit among all running backs in 2015---$11.95 million. While McCoy did rush for over 1,300 yards in 2014, his yards per carry was only 4.1, 24th in the NFL and some suggest he is on the downside of his career.
By cutting McCoy, the Eagles would save about $7.5 million. However, with littled guaranteed money coming his way next season, it seems favorable for both McCoy and the Eagles to restructure his deal, lowering the cap number and increasing the guaranteed dollars.
Prediction: Eagles, McCoy restructure and he stays
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