6 Eagles on the Roster Bubble Heading Into Preseason Finale

3. James Bradberry, Safety

James Bradberry was once a very trusted starting cornerback. He spent four years with the Carolina Panthers and was impressive enough that he landed a three-year, $45 million contract with the New York Giants in 2020.

His tenure in New York was inconsistent and after failing to find a trade partner in 2022, he was released with one year remaining on his deal. The Eagles brought him in, signing him to a $7.5 million contract. He made good on that and was even named to the All-Pro Second Team.

Bradberry started to trend in the wrong direction in the postseason, however. He was guilty of holding JuJu Smith-Schuster, setting up the Kansas City Chiefs for a game-winning field goal. He was still signed to a three-year extension but followed that up with a frustrating 2023 campaign. Bradberry then lost his spot as a cornerback when Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean were drafted.

Trying to keep from releasing him and eating $4.3 million in dead money, the Eagles moved him to safety. After two preseason games, it's easy to see he's not a natural at the position. He was juked out of his shoes by rookie Ja'Lynn Polk and never made any stand-.out plays.

The writing may be on the wall for Bradberry, especially after the Eagles went out and added a natural safety to the roster. Following their first preseason game, Philly signed Caden Sterns. A former Texas Longhorn, Sterns was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

In three seasons, he had 49 tackles and four interceptions while breaking up nine passes. More importantly, Sterns spent his rookie season with Vic Fangio as his head coach. That means he has familiarity with the defensive coordinator's scheme. His addition coupled with Bradberry's play could spell an end to his tenure with the Eagles.