The Eagles announced that they have released tight end Brent Celek. The veteran was scheduled to carry a $5MM cap hit for 2018. By releasing him, the Eagles will save an estimated $4MM. 
This is the latest move by the Eagles to free up cap space, following the restructuring of Lane Johnson‘s contract. With their extra cap room, the Eagles have added accomplished defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to the mix. The Eagles are also hoping to hold on to Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, though they might be willing to trade him for a substantial haul in draft compensation.
The defending champs have not rested on their laurels this week. In addition to the aforementioned Ngata signing, they have shipped wide receiver Torrey Smith to the Panthers and they have a deal in place to retain nickel cornerback Patrick Robinson.
Celek, for his part, wants to continue playing.
Come on cardinals!
Who is the Eagles #2 tight end now?
I’m pretty sure at the moment nobody. They might have to either draft or sign someone cheap. ASJ is still available I think.
I wouldn’t doubt they resign him after they clear more space. He doesn’t want to play anywhere else and he wants to keep playing. Also, these moves like Bennett come with a price to clear space, don’t doubt hey dump another favorite or two to clear more space.
ASJ won’t be cheap after Jimmy goes.
Colts.
Unfortunately, Hearing he’s going to retire as Eagles don’t want him back.
Well, Brent Celek was a great soldier, but Zach Ertz is a great TE–8 AV and averaging 75 catches for 10+ per reception, plus he was a stud in the playoff and Super Bowl run. Letting the other TE go was a tougher call, but he got a great deal from the Bears. This was an obvious move.
I loved Haloti Ngata once upon a time, he’s going to be in the HOF, but he’s not the player he once was. But perhaps playing less in the Eagles rotation may work out for him. He is a truly great DT, a legend, a Jerome Brown level DT. No one has had AVs like Ngata at DT in decades. He is one of the alltime greats.
Torrey Smith for Patrick Robinson is kind of a wash, but actually Smith was AV4 while Robinson was AV6 for the year. So slight edge to Eagles.
It’s still ongoing, but so far, the Super Bowl champs seem to be ok in their offseason moves. Other than Torrey Smith, the main receiving corps of Ertz, Jeffrey et al. is still in place, the OLine is fine, they have depth at backfield with or without LeGarrette Blount (who won a Super Bowl vs his old team) and the Defense got way better with Legion of Bommer Bennett at DE.
Art Kyriazis, Molecular Biologist, Biostatistician, sometime SABR guy
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