Eagles Release Darius Slay and James Bradberry: A New Era in Philadelphia

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The Philadelphia Eagles have made a stunning move, releasing six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay and 2022 All-Pro cornerback James Bradberry. This decision marks a new era in the team's secondary, as they look to rely on young players to fill the void left by these veteran cornerbacks. The Eagles' roster is stacked, but GM Howie Roseman has been known to make big splashes in recent offseasons, and creating space on his cap is crucial in doing so.

The release of Slay and Bradberry will save the Eagles $4.3 million and $2.1 million in cap space, respectively. Slay, 34, played the past five seasons in Philadelphia and put together one of the better runs at cornerback in Eagles history. He served as a captain multiple times and is credited with helping shepherd the young defensive backs, including Quinyon Mitchell. Slay's departure will be felt, but the Eagles are confident in their rookie tandem of Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who played a vital role in winning the Lombardi Trophy. They project to be the team's top cornerbacks for years to come on their rookie deals.

Bradberry, 31, was among the best cornerbacks in the NFL during the 2022 season, but struggled in 2023. He finished his Eagles career with four interceptions, two tackles for loss, 30 pass breakups, and 98 tackles in 33 games. Bradberry's release was expected, but his departure will still be felt in the Eagles' locker room, where he was a respected teammate and mentor to the young defensive backs. The Eagles have a number of young cornerbacks under contract, including Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, Parry Nickerson, A.J. Woods, and Tariq Castro-Fields, who will compete for playing time in 2025.

The Eagles' decision to release Slay and Bradberry is a clear indication that they are committed to building their team around young players. With Slay and Bradberry both gone, the Eagles will look to their rookie cornerbacks to step up and fill the void. They will also look to free agency and the draft to add depth to their secondary. Some key matchups to watch in 2025 will be:

• Quinyon Mitchell vs. top receivers in the NFC East
• Cooper DeJean vs. speedy receivers in the league
• Kelee Ringo vs. physical receivers in the red zone

The Eagles' secondary will be a key area to watch in 2025, as they look to defend their Super Bowl title. The team's ability to adapt to the loss of Slay and Bradberry will be crucial in determining their success next season. With a number of young players ready to step up, the Eagles are confident that they can fill the void left by these veteran cornerbacks and make another deep run in the playoffs.

In terms of historical context, the Eagles' decision to release Slay and Bradberry is not unprecedented. The team has a history of making tough decisions to create cap space and build for the future. Some notable examples include:

• The release of cornerback Asante Samuel in 2012
• The trade of quarterback Donovan McNabb in 2010
• The release of safety Brian Dawkins in 2009

These moves were all made with the goal of creating cap space and building for the future, and they ultimately paid off for the Eagles. The team is hoping that the release of Slay and Bradberry will have a similar impact, as they look to build a sustainable winner in Philadelphia.

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