Despite being mentioned in trade talks, linebacker Mychal Kendricks and center Jason Kelce are both expected to stick on the Eagles’ roster, head coach Doug Pederson told reporters, including Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice and Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com (Twitter links).
Philadelphia had placed Kendricks on the trade block as far back as the 2015 draft, but the club was reportedly actively shopping him this offseason. The Eagles were looking for a fifth-round pick in exchange for Kendricks, but no team was willing to meet that ask after $4.35MM of Kendricks’ $4.85MM 2017 base salary became fully guaranteed earlier this month. Kendricks, 26, is signed through the 2019 campaign thanks to an extension inked in August 2015.
A full-time starter during his first four seasons with the Eagles, Kendricks was largely relegated to a reserve role in 2016, as he played on only a quarter of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps. In that span, he racked up 28 tackles and fumble recovery, and earned positive marks for his run defense and pass rushing ability from Pro Football Focus. Kendricks’ coverage grade of 47.7, however, was lacking.
Kelce’s name had also been bandied about in trade discussions, but the Eagles weren’t interested in unloading Kelce simply to clear cap space. Kelce, 29, started all 16 games for the third time in the past four seasons. He posted his worst campaign during that span, however, as Pro Football Focus graded him as just the No. 27 center among 38 qualifiers. Signed through 2020, Kelce has cap charges between $6.2MM and $7.2MM in each of the next four years.
I can definitely see us keeping them.ieven can see Ron Brooks staying as well.even though our draft picks will cost a total around 7mil,only the top 4 picks will affect the top 51 salaries.and the difference they’ll make is less than 2.5mil.
Our cap is tight,and at least a player or 2 will have to go,but we have options in which direction to go there.
And to no surprise to me,Ron Brooks took a 850k pay cut,so it looks like he might end up sticking around as well.
The secondary actually did look better earlier in the season when we had him out there.he just has a problem staying healthy.and with him,Gratz,Mills,and Robinson,we actually have 4 viable options to compete for roles.
we still need corners ofcourse,but we won’t have to force a pick.we can go bpa with our draft picks.