According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles are planning to release veteran CB Avonte Maddox.
Why did the Eagles release Avonte Maddox?
The move does come as a slightly surprising one, but it’s perfectly logical. In fact, I had the Eagles trading Maddox in my seven-round Mock Draft posted earlier today. He’s struggled to stay healthy over his six-year tenure and the Eagles could save some cap space by moving him if it’s designated as a post 6/1 release ($7M).
On top of that, the Eagles drafted Zech McPhearson as an eventual heir to his throne, but Avonte Maddox broke out that following year and earned himself a new contract. A glass ceiling then placed itself over the young cornerback and McPhearson was instead trialed outside, where it became clear he really wasn’t as comfortable.
The Eagles will go into the offseason now needing a nickel corner, even if it is a veteran at the level Bradley Roby was as an insurance policy for McPhearson or any number of young corners hungry for that spot.
As for Maddox, it’s a real shame to see him go. He consistently made big plays for the Birds and ends his tenure as a Super Bowl winner and 64 starts to his name alongside 4 interceptions, 250 tackles, 8 QB hits, 31 pass defenses, and 3 sacks. When healthy, he’s definitely one of the better nickel corners in the game and I’d expect him to find a new landing spot with relative ease.
Maddox was a real gem of his draft class and turned out to be a reliable contributor for an ever-changing Eagles defense. If he can avoid minor injuries, he’ll go on to enjoy the rest of a really stellar career.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
