3 Eagles Already on the Chopping Block Before OTAs

1. Avonte Maddox, Cornerback

One of the primary concerns throughout the 2023 campaign for the Eagles was their secondary. James Bradberry had the worst season of his career and Darius Slay saw his PFF grade drop from 73.1 to 66.0. They added safety Kevin Byard in a trade with the Tennessee Titans but that didn't help and he was released during the offseason.

What might have made a difference is the presence of Avonte Maddox, who was out for 13 games. The former fourth-round pick out of Pitt has been their most consistent defensive back over the past couple of seasons but he's also been dealing with several injuries.

A foot injury cost him time in 2022 and then in 2023, he tore his pectoral muscle. He was able to return for Week 18 and the playoffs but was let go when the season ended. Less than one month later, however, he re-signed with Philadelphia on a one-year deal worth $1.6 million.

Ideally, they would like him to stay since they're already being hit with $7.7 million in dead money from releasing him, but the secondary is suddenly very crowded. Philadelphia selected Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the 2024 NFL Draft and both could start if needed. In addition to the two rookies, the Eagles still have Slay, Bradberry, and 2023 fourth-round pick Kelee Ringo.

Ideally, they would move on from Bradberry before Maddox but it would be more detrimental to the cap to cut ties with Bradberry who is entering the second season of a three-year deal worth $38 million — $20 million of which is fully guaranteed. He's been paid just $3.062 million of that guaranteed amount, so they would be eating a lot of money to move on.

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