Eagles Facing Cap Decisions
- The Eagles are set to face some major cap-related decisions in the coming weeks, Tim McManus of ESPN.com writes. The team could save $7.75MM by dropping defensive end Connor Barwin and although he’s willing to take a pay cut, former agent Joel Corry tells McManus that both sides would be better off with a release because he doesn’t fit a 4-3 scheme. Others to address include center Jason Kelce ($6.2MM cap number, $3.8MM savings if cut), linebacker Mychal Kendricks ($6.6MM cap number, $1.8MM savings), and left tackle Jason Peters ($11.7MM cap number, $9.7MM savings).
2017 NFL Draft Order Set
With the Super Bowl in the rear view mirror, the offseason is officially underway for all 32 teams. We now have the complete draft order for the entire first round, with one exception which is noted below.
The Patriots, of course, will have the honor of having the last pick. The Falcons, after losing in heartbreaking fashion, will have the penultimate selection in the first round.
Here is the complete order, via ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter links):
1. Browns
2. 49ers
3. Bears
4. Jaguars
5. Titans
6. Jets
7. Chargers
8. Panthers
9. Bengals
10. Bills
11. Saints
12. Browns
13. Cardinals
T-14. Eagles (via the Vikings)
T-14. Colts (Note: The Vikings and Colts have identical records and the same strength of schedule. The tie will be broke by coin flip with the winner getting pick No. 14 and the other team getting the No. 15 pick.)
16. Ravens
17. Redskins
18. Titans
19. Buccaneers
20. Broncos
21. Lions
22. Dolphins
23. Giants
24. Raiders
25. Texans
26. Seahawks
27. Chiefs
28. Cowboys
29. Packers
30. Steelers
31. Falcons
32. Patriots
Michael Vick Admits NFL Career Is Likely Over
Quarterback Michael Vick hasn’t played a snap since the 2015 season, and he’s aware that his NFL career is likely finished, as Jonathan Jones of Sports Illustrated writes in a detailed interview with the controversial signal-caller.
“Yeah, I think it’s it,” said Vick, responding to whether his career is over. “I’m kind of looking at life from a different perspective now. I’ve got kids growing that I’ve got to be there for. I was committed in 2016 to giving it one more shot. I’m very content with my career and what I’ve been able to accomplish. I accomplished more than I ever thought I would. Listen, at the end of the day, through all the downs I played, I can say I won a game for every team that I played for, even though I only made three starts in New York and three starts in Pittsburgh. I made a difference, I’m content with my career and I’m ready to move forward in life.”
As Vick notes, he had previously maintained that he was interested in continuing his career during the 2016 campaign, but although he reportedly received bits of interest from NFL clubs, no deal ever materialized. Given that Vick intimated that his playing days would not extend past 2016, his announcement that his time in the NFL is over doesn’t come as a major surprise.
If this is the end, Vick will have concluded one of the more complicated NFL careers in recent memory. Selected first overall by the Falcons in the 2001 draft, Vick quickly revolutionized the quarterback position, becoming a dual-threat weapon capable of making plays with both his arm and his legs. Though his passing acumen was sometimes suspect (he never topped a 60% completion percentage during his time in Atlanta), Vick was a weapon on the ground, and in 2006 became the first quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards. Vick ranks first among quarterbacks with 6,109 career rushing yards, leading second-place Randall Cunningham by more than 1,100 yards in that regard.
Of course, Vick’s career came crashing down in 2007, when he plead guilty to dog-fighting charges and was indefinitely suspended by the NFL. Facing both federal and state charges, Vick ultimately served less than two years in prison, and was released in July 2009. Though Vick has rehabilitated his image in some corners, and has even become an animal rights advocate, his legacy will likely always be tarnished by his involvement in that gruesome ordeal.
After being released from incarceration, Vick latched on with the Eagles in 2009 (despite much public outcry), and the following year posted perhaps the best season of his career, passing for more than 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns against only six interceptions, adding another 676 yards and 10 scores via the ground game. Philadelphia lost in the Wild Card round in 2011, a game that marked the final postseason appearance of Vick’s career. After a few more middling and injury-marred seasons with the Eagles, Vick finished out his time in the NFL as a reserve for the Jets and Steelers in 2014 and 2015, respectively, managing six starts during those two campaigns.
Eagles To Target WR Kenny Stills
The Eagles need help at wide receiver and they have a big name in mind. If he reaches the open market, the Eagles will pursue Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills, a source tells Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. 
Stills, 25 in April, is eligible for free agency at a time when Miami also has to consider Jarvis Landry‘s long-term future. Landry, the team’s No. 1 receiving option, will be out of contract after the 2017 season. The Dolphins could opt to let Stills go to maintain room for Landry in the long run, but the team also has a good amount of cap space to work with at the moment. As of this writing, the Fins have ~$29MM in projected cap space. The Dolphins also have DeVante Parker and 2016 draft pick Leonte Carroo on the depth chart.
The Dolphins are on record as saying they would like to retain Stills.
“It’s important for us to bring him back. We’d like to have him back,” general manager Chris Grier said. “It’s his right to test the market and see what he can get, but we’d like to have him back.”
Eric Rowe On Trade
Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe says he still doesn’t know why the Eagles traded him, Matt Lombardo of NJ.com writes.
Eagles, Rick Mueller Have Not Parted Ways
- Contrary to a report from last week, the Eagles and personnel executive Rick Mueller have not yet parted ways. Mueller is working from home and will join the Eagles at next month’s scouting combine, though his contract is up in May, per Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic (Twitter link).
Redskins Interested In Eagles DT Bennie Logan
If Eagles defensive tackle Bennie Logan hits the open market, the Redskins will target him in March, a source tells Mark Eckel of NJ.com. Of course, the Redskins are forbidden from contacting Logan until the legal tampering period. 
[RELATED: Eagles Notes: Kelce, Front Office]
Last year, the Redskins finished No. 28 in overall defense and 24th against the run, so they could use some help on the D-Line. Kedric Golston, 34 in May, cannot reasonably be counted upon to hold down nose tackle after playing in just two games last year. Logan, meanwhile, has missed just five games with injuries over the last four years.
For what it’s worth, the advanced metrics aren’t crazy about Logan’s play. Last year, his 45.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus placed him as a below-average interior defender. In the previous three years, however, he had much stronger scores as he played in a 3-4 scheme. It is widely acknowledged that Logan did not adjust well to the 4-3 set in 2016.
Logan could land roughly $10MM per year on his next contract, one Eagles beat writer recently opined, and the Eagles could instead get by with defensive tackles Beau Allen and Destiny Vaeao. For his part, Logan says he wants to stay in Philly, but there’s a chance he could wind up with a divisional rival instead.
Jeffrey Lurie Wants To Keep Eagles' Offensive Staff Together
- Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was the driving force behind his club’s refusal to allow quarterbacks coach John DeFillipo interview for the Jets’ offensive coordinator vacancy, and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Lurie did so in order to keep Philadelphia’s staff together for the benefit of Carson Wentz. Additionally, Lurie is reportedly willing to spend what cap space the Eagles have this offseason in order to secure more offensive weapons for his second-year quarterback.
Eagles Notes: Kelce, Front Office
- The Eagles are poised to clear “significant” cap space, which could end center Jason Kelce‘s six-year tenure in Philadelphia. When asked about Kelce on Wednesday, executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman didn’t shoot down any rumors regarding the 29-year-old. “We’re talking about a guy who just made the Pro Bowl. Those are good situations for the Philadelphia Eagles to have Pro Bowl players,” Roseman told Zach Berman of Philly.com. “But it’s hard to go into each player, and I’m not saying as it relates to Kelce, but if I start answering the question to Jason Kelce, that opens the door to five or six other guys.” By cutting Kelce, the Eagles would open up $3.8MM in cap space for 2017.
- The Eagles and player personnel executive Rick Mueller are parting ways, sources told Jeff McLane of Philly.com. Mueller was in his second stint with the Eagles, who fired him during the Chip Kelly era and brought him back when it ended.
Eagles Likely To Clear “Significant” Cap Space
The Eagles are currently projected to head into free agency with only $7.4MM in available cap space, but de facto general manager Howie Roseman and staff are likely to create “significant” wiggle room this offseason through various roster machinations, a source tells Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.
[RELATED: Philadelphia Eagles Depth Chart]
Among the players who are likely to be traded or released, per Kempski, are edge rusher Connor Barwin, running back Ryan Mathews, center Jason Kelce, offensive lineman Allen Barbre, linebacker Mychal Kendricks, and cornerbacks Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks. As I noted when examining Philadelphia’s top three offseason needs, the Eagles will need to cut bait with a decent amount of the players listed in order to target roster weaknesses such as wide receiver. Releasing or trading that entire group would create north of $24MM in cap space.
Left tackle Jason Peters could be approached regarding a paycut, according to Kempski, but the veteran lineman is unlikely to be amenable to such a move, meaning the Eagles could be forced to restructure his contract in order to lower his cap charge. Linebacker Nigel Bradham, meanwhile, could face a league suspension following two recent arrests, and could be released despite his sterling 2016 campaign (Pro Football Focus’ No. 9 linebacker).