The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing beginning nickel cornerback Avonte Maddox, in keeping with a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Nonetheless, Schefter added that “the 2 sides will preserve speaking and are open to a reunion.” (Shades of slicing after which shortly re-signing Fletcher Cox again in 2022?)
Maddox was due a $6.85 million base wage for 2024. By slicing him, the Eagles immediately cleared just below $2 million in cap house with a little bit over $7.7 million left in useless cash.
It comes as no shock that the Eagles wish to both modify Maddox’s contract or transfer on from him fully. Accidents have restricted the 2018 fourth-round choose to enjoying in simply 16 out of 38 attainable video games over the previous two seasons. Maddox allowed a career-worst 113.4 passer ranking when focused in 2023, in keeping with Professional Soccer Reference.
Maybe the Eagles and Maddox can work one thing out that enables him to remain in Philly for at the least another season.
Even when that’s the case, the workforce will nonetheless possible be contemplating slot choices for the long run. That spot was clearly a problem for them final yr with Maddox lacking a lot of the season and Zech McPhearson, the highest backup, getting harm within the preseason. The Eagles experimented with a lot of completely different choices within the nickel function, none of which led to lasting success that conjures up confidence shifting ahead.
The Eagles do have some youthful cornerbacks on their roster who may get a glance there. Amongst these choices is perhaps Isaiah Rodgers, who’s ready to be reinstated after being suspended for playing. Rodgers has performed most of his profession snaps on the surface however his listed dimension of 5’10”, 170 kilos lends to a slot prototype.
It’s additionally fairly attainable the Eagles will look so as to add extra assist via free company and/or the 2024 NFL Draft. The Birds are rumored to have curiosity in a C.J. Gardner-Johnson reunion. They might view him as a nickel reply versus enjoying him at security.
Getting again to Maddox, if that is it for him in Philly, it’s a bummer he’s headed out on a low notice. He’s been a pleasant participant for the Eagles. Maddox clearly outperformed expectations for his draft slot because the No. 125 general choose, incomes a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension again in 2021.
