March 17, 2021
UPDATE [6:15 p.m.] — Apologies we didn't bring you this earlier, but we were busy writing about the Eagles announcement making the Carson Wentz trade official and some of the revelations within (you can check that out right here). But this is definitely something worth mentioning...
With the start of the new league year, Derek Barnett's $10 million salary for 2021 became guaranteed. There was some talk that the Eagles would try to work out a new deal with the 24-year-old defensive end, perhaps in an effort to lower his cap hit for this season, but it appears that is not the case.
The Eagles have let Derek Barnett's one-year $10 million option stand, so that money is now guaranteed.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) March 17, 2021
They can still try to negotiate a long-term deal with him, but for now $10 million base for 2021 and $10 million cap hit.
Since the Eagles were able to get under the cap before the new league year started without re-working Barnett's deal, it appears that became less of a priority. More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that Barnett now has no assurances beyond the 2021 season as he will be playing in a contract year. As Roob mentioned, the Eagles can obviously work something out with the DE before the season starts (or after for that matter), but for now he's playing on the last year of his deal.
UPDATE [4:19 p.m.] — A potential target for the Eagles to pair alongside Miles Sanders is now off the board, as the Colts are reportedly bringing back Marlon Mack (hey, that rhymes).
The #Colts are re-signing RB Marlon Mack, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2021
That always felt like kind of a long shot anyway, but we do know how the Eagles like to have depth at the running back position, and more often than not have had a tandem at the position rather than a true workhorse.
The Eagles previously re-signed running back Adrian Killins, their lone move so far in free agency, but that's likely for depth even further down the roster. If Howie Roseman and Co. can afford it, the Eagles could very well still be in the market for a running back. It just won't be Marlon Mack. Stay tuned...
UPDATE [4:00 p.m.] — It's official. The new league year is underway for the NFL, meaning any previously agreed upon deals, include the Carson Wentz trade, can now become official.
UPDATE [1:47 p.m.] — It finally happened! The Eagles actually did something! Unfortunately, it's more of a fringe move than anything to get overly excited about.
According to a report, the Eagles agreed to a two-year deal with free agent running back Adrian Killins.
Philadelphia Eagles re-signed running back Adrian Killins to a two-year contract, according to a league source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 17, 2021
Last year, the Eagles signed Killins as an undrafted free agent out of Central Florida before relegating him to the practice squad. He was active for one game last season before being sent back down to the practice squad, where he finished the season. In all, Killins was a net-negative on offense for the Eagles last year, running the ball one time for two yards, while his lone reception went for -12 yards. He'll be a long shot to make the roster this season, but much of that will depend on how else the Eagles go about filling out their running backs room.
UPDATE [11:50 a.m.] — We're just over (or, more likely by the time you're reading this, just under) four hours from the official start of the league year, and while the Eagles are reportedly cap compliant after shedding Marquise Goodwin's contract on Tuesday, it appears the team is still trying to trim a little. Here's the latest from Field Yates of ESPN.
As teams work to become cap compliant before the new league year begins, the Packers restructured the deal of OLB Za’Darius Smith.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 17, 2021
The Eagles reworked the deals of K Jake Elliott and S Rodney McLeod.
According to OverTheCap.com, the restructures should save the Eagles around $3.3 million on the cap. With them already being under, that will now give them a little wiggle room should they be looking to bring in any free agents — or perhaps trade for someone, maybe even a quarterback?
Stay tuned, as free agency is expected to heat up again this afternoon...
We've made it through two days of legal tampering and, finally, we've arrived at the official start of NFL free agency, which will begin today at 4 p.m. with the start of the new league year. That means that all the deals agreed to in the last 48-plus hours can become official — and the door could be open to a flood of new signings throughout the day.
While this was expected to be a much different year in free agency due to a shrinking salary cap, it so far hasn't felt that way, except for maybe when it comes to the Eagles, a team known for being involved in both the free agent and trade markets each and every year. So far this year, they're just one of a handful of teams yet to dip their toes into free agency, but with little money to spend — they just got cap compliant on Tuesday when Marquise Goodwin and his contract reverted back to the 49ers — perhaps Howie Roseman and Co. make their biggest splashes in the trade market.
We've already written today about a potential blockbuster for the Eagles: trading for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. That would be yet another franchising-altering move for Philly in an offseason that's already seen two (firing Doug Pederson and trading Carson Wentz). While it's still a long shot that the Eagles would actually land Watson — for any number of reasons, including Houston's hesitancy to move on from their franchise QB despite him wanting out — there is another trade rumor out there that is much more likely to happen.
But it doesn't involve a player joining the Eagles. In fact, it's quite the opposite, as it would see a longtime staple of Philly's offense heading out the door.
On Tuesday, Ian Rapoport reported that the Birds had given tight end Zach Ertz and his agent permission to seek a trade.
The #Eagles have given long-time TE Zach Ertz, one of the faces of their franchise, permission to seek a trade, source said. Several teams have been engaged.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
Now, you might be asking yourself, "Haven't the Eagles been trying to trade Ertz for a while now?"
The answer is yes, but this actually puts the ball in Ertz's court and allows him to massage a deal as much as he wants to try to get something done. The Eagles would obviously have to approve, but it give him and his agent a bit more flexibility to possibly get something done. Here's more from Mike Garafolo:
Still comes down to the #Eagles agreeing on trade compensation but this step means Zach Ertz's agent can massage the entire deal. Ertz wants it done. Team wants proper comp. Let's see where it goes. https://t.co/Mt6Rb0zmdC
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2021
There were reports recently that a trade for Ertz could happen soon, and this seems like it could accelerate the timeline a bit. And that means you're going to be seeing a lot more rumors like this...
Zach Ertz liked this tweet and is following the #Bills Instagram and my only question is do you think he’ll order medium or medium-hot at Duffs tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/B8tjpSVvco
— JJ Calabrese (@JJ_Calabrese) March 17, 2021
That one at least makes some sense, as the Bills appear to be very much in the market for a tight end.
Before re-signing with the Bucs, Rob Gronkowski considered a similar offer from the Bills... his hometown team. I'd expect the Bills to add a tight end at some point.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 16, 2021
This is hardly the only rumor we'll be tracking today as NFL free agency officially kicks off, so stay tuned with out live tracker, right here:
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