State of the Cap
Currently, the Eagles are over the cap by $14.4 million. This would prove very difficult for general manager Howie Roseman to maneuver through resigning players and signing new additions. A few players will likely be cut to make room in the cap, so who could that be?
Nick Foles
This is almost a foregone conclusion that Foles will be gone this off-season. Whether it be via trade, and you can see what they could get here, or his option isn’t picked up, his departure will bring the team under the salary cap at $3.8 million.
Cap: $2.854 million
Nelson Agholor
Nelson Agholor has been through a roller coaster of a career with the Eagles. Fans were calling for his head after the first few years of his career, due to drops and lack of production, as he totaled 648 total receiving yards in his first two seasons. However, he topped that number in one year in 2017 with 768 and followed that up with another strong year in 2018 with 736 yards.
But there’s a big decision on Howie Roseman’s hands regarding Agholor. If Agholor is cut, the team saves another $9.3 million in cap space. With the report that the Eagles will be targeting elite pass rushers this off-season, Roseman may decide that he can look elsewhere for a new slot receiver.
Cap: $12.241 million
Timmy Jernigan
This one is tough. The defensive line played immensely better when Jernigan returned from his back injury. If you don’t remember, Jernigan missed all but three games in 2018 after surgery to correct a herniated disc. He wasn’t great in those three games, but his presence was felt as opposing offensive lines had to account for him, which led to less double teams on Fletcher Cox.
But in the end, this is a business and Jernigan costs $13 million against the cap. If the Eagles cut him before June 1st, he costs $6 million in dead cap. If they make him a post-June 1st cut, he’s only $2 million in dead cap.
This is the route I believe Roseman will take. Even though it doesn’t help the cap in March, after June 1st an additional $4 million will be available for the team.
Cap (in March): $19.241 million
Cap (in June): $23.241 million
Jason Peters
Another tough decision, but not due to production.
As an Eagles legend, Peters will always be remembered for the years of protecting the blindside. But age and injury have caught up to the 37-year-old. Despite starting all 16 games this season, Peters played 100% of the snaps six times, and 90% or more 12 total times. The other four games were 10%, 54%, 69%, and 7%.
In the playoffs, Peters played 100% of the snaps in the win versus the Bears but played in 73% of the snaps in the loss versus the Saints.
One could say that at just a little over $10 million towards the cap, Peters is still a bargain. as he was the 16th highest paid tackle in the league last year. But I believe the Eagles will give Peters the Brent Celek treatment and cut him.
Cap (in March): $27.241 million
Cap (in June): $31.241 million
Note: If defensive end Chris Long retires, it saves an additional $5.3 million.
