Connor Barwin Hopes To Remain With Eagles
- As a less-than-ideal fit for Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz‘s 4-3 scheme, pass rusher Connor Barwin could end up a cap casualty in the offseason. But the 30-year-old would consider taking a pay cut from $7.75MM to remain with the club, he told Marcus Hayes of Philly.com. “I’m willing to do something,” he said. “So, we’ll see.” Barwin added that he’s “optimistic about the system, and the growth I can have in it from this year to next year.” The fourth-year Eagle has four sacks, his fewest since totaling three in 2012, and has racked up only seven quarterback hurries after accumulating 18 in 2015. Releasing him would save Philadelphia $7.75MM against just $600K in dead money.
Eagles, Nolan Carroll Talking Extension
Nolan Carroll is scheduled to reach free agency in March, but the Eagles are already working to lock him up for 2017 and beyond. The cornerback says that extension talks are underway. 
[RELATED: Brandon Graham Hints At DeSean Jackson Returning To Eagles]
“They’re starting,” Carroll told Mark Eckel of NJ.com. “I have a new agent so we’ll see how it goes.”
Last year, Carroll suffered a fractured fibula and found a weak market for his services. Unable to scare up a significant deal, he re-signed with Philly on a one-year deal worth roughly $2MM. After a healthy season in which he has 51 total tackles, one interception, and 14 pass breakups, Carroll has put himself in a much better position.
If re-signed, the Eagles may ticket Carroll for a reserve role rather than a starting job. Still, he can provide rotational depth and he’s plenty familiar with the playbook.
Through 15 games, Carroll is Pro Football Focus’ No. 91 ranked CB in the NFL this year. Leodis McKelvin is the team’s top-ranked corner this year and he is ranked as just the 82nd best player at the position.
Eagles Could Pursue Jackson
- After drafting wideouts the past two years, the Redskins figure to let DeSean Jackson walk, Elliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com reports. This would open the door for the deep threat to reunite with former teammates on the receiver-starved Eagles. This would make sense from a need standpoint, and there have been multiple connections between D-Jax and his former team, but Philly is projected to be $800K-plus over the cap in 2017 after signing numerous players to extensions this offseason. The Eagles would need to shed salary to make room for Jackson. For his part, the 30-year-old wideout said he’s “intrigued” about being a free agent.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/27/16
A rundown of Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: S Christian Bryant (signed from Giants practice squad)
- Placed on injured reserve: S Tony Jefferson, G Taylor Boggs
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Travell Dixon, DE Larry Webster
- Placed on IR: S Tre Boston, DE Ryan Delaire
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Jake Kumerow, LB Trevor Roach
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Joe Banyard
- Placed on IR: LB Sean Porter
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: RB Ryan Matthews
San Francisco 49ers
- Claimed off waivers: DL Zach Moore
- Placed on IR: RB Carlos Hyde
San Diego Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Andre Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Kasen Williams
- Placed on IR: WR Tyler Lockett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: CB Jude Adjei-Barimah
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Alex Tanney
- Placed on IR: QB Marcus Mariota
Washington Redskins
- Placed on waivers: RB Silas Redd (Twitter link via Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com)
Eagles Try Out Three
- The Eagles auditioned wide receiver Greg Ellingson, cornerback Tay Glover-Wright and Canadian Football League punter Richie Leone, according to Caplan (Twitter links).
Graham Hints At DJax Eagles Return
Is Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson on his way back to the Eagles this offseason? Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham seems to think so.
Former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy also recently said that Jackson told him that he would be back with the Eagles next season. We’ve been hearing reports of strong mutual interest between the Eagles and DJax for some time now. All signs are pointing to a reunion, but Graham should probably stop speaking on the subject before the team is hit with penalties for tampering.
2017 NFL Draft Order Through Week 16
This weekend, the Browns got the best of both worlds when they won their first game of the 2016 season while the 49ers also found their way to victory. Now, the 1-14 Browns remain in the top spot as we head into the final week of the NFL season.
Here’s where we stand through Week 16. (Note: Ties are broken by strength of schedule):
- Browns 1-14
- 49ers 2-13
- Bears 3-12
- Jaguars 3-12
- Rams (pick belongs to Titans) 4-11
- Jets 4-11
- Chargers 5-10
- Bengals 5-9-1
- Panthers 6-9
- Eagles (pick belongs to Browns) 6-9
- Cardinals 6-8-1
- Bills 7-8
- Colts 7-8
- Vikings (pick belongs to Eagles) 7-8
- Saints 7-8
- Titans 8-7
- Ravens 8-7
- Buccaneers 8-7
- Broncos 8-7
- Redskins 8-6-1
Update On Eric Rowe Trade
- Under the terms of the trade that sent cornerback Eric Rowe from the Eagles to the Patriots earlier this year, New England will be forced to ship a 2018 third-round pick to Philadelphia if Rowe plays in 50% of the Patriots’ snaps in either 2016 or 2017. Rowe won’t meet that mark this season, per Reiss, although Rowe could still reach that threshold next year. If he doesn’t, New England will only be required to send a 2018 fourth-rounder to Philly.
Eagles RB Ryan Mathews Done For Season
Ryan Mathews‘ season is over, Eagles coach Doug Pederson tells reporters (Twitter link via Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer). He will need surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck. 
The injury happened on a third down goal line play and, remarkably, Mathews stayed in for fourth down and carried the ball.
With a $5MM cap hit next year, Mathews may have played his final game for the Eagles. Philly can save $4MM by releasing him.
Mathews also missed time this year with an MCL sprain. In total, his season ends with 13 games played and 661 yards off of 155 carries for an average of 4.3 yards per attempt. He also had eight rushing touchdowns plus 13 catches for 115 yards.
Of course, with a 6-9 record, the Eagles will not be playing for much in the season finale against the Cowboys. And, by virtue of their win over the Giants on Thursday, the game is effectively meaningless for Dallas as well. The Cowboys have secured the NFC East crown and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Without Mathews, the Eagles are left with Darren Sproles and Byron Marshall. The Eagles don’t have any running backs on the p-squad, so they’ll have to go out-of-house if they want a third running back for this game.
Doug Pederson Wants Jason Peters To Stay An Eagle
- After Eagles left tackle Jason Peters earned his ninth Pro Bowl selection Tuesday, head coach Doug Pederson spoke out against the idea that the soon-to-be 35-year-old could be an offseason cap casualty. “I love him,’’ Pederson said (per Paul Domowitch of Philly.com). “I want him on the team. I don’t want him to go anywhere. I want him to be an Eagle for the rest of his career. Once we get through these next two games, we’ll address all of that.” Notably, Howie Roseman – not Pederson – has final say when it comes to the Eagles’ roster. Further, releasing Peters in order to avail the left tackle position for well-compensated right tackle Lane Johnson would free up $9.2MM in cap space against $2MM in dead money next year. Moving on from Peters would also significantly weaken the Eagles’ line, though, evidenced by his ninth-place ranking among 79 qualifying tackles at Pro Football Focus.