According to Field Yates of ESPN, Eagles veteran tight end Brent Celek has taken a pay cut. The 32-year old was previously scheduled to make $4M in 2017, he will now make $3M.
Eagles TE Brent Celek has taken a $1M paycut for 2017, per sources. He'll now make $3M instead of $4M.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 18, 2017
Celek signed a three-year, $12M extension last season with the Eagles, all but cementing that he will retire with the team who drafted him back in 2007. The deal was worth $6M guaranteed.
The former Cincinnati product actually had a career low 155-receiving yards in 2016..with that also being his first NFL season without a touchdown. His impact was felt far more prominently as a blocking tight end in Doug Pederson’s scheme however. Playing in close to 40% of the team’s offensive snaps, Celek was instrumental in blocking efforts and adding some extra fuel where an inconsistent offensive line needed it.
Celek isn’t the first player to reportedly take a pay cut this year. Former Bills cornerback Ron Brooks allegedly took a $850K paycut after being scheduled to make $1.85M in the second year of his deal with the Eagles. Jason Peters was also approached in regards to a paycut, although it never came to fruition. It will be interesting to see if any other players follow suit in order to help the Eagles find some much needed breathing room when it comes to cap space. With a minimum of seven rookie contracts that will need to be negotiated following the Draft in nine days, every little helps.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
