The Philadelphia Eagles have informed veteran cornerback James Bradberry of his impending release, effective at the start of the new league year. This decision is part of the team’s efforts to manage salary cap constraints and transition towards a younger defensive lineup.
Bradberry, 31, joined the Eagles in 2022 after stints with the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants. He made an immediate impact, earning Second-team All-Pro honors in his first season with Philadelphia and playing a pivotal role in the team’s journey to Super Bowl LVII. However, his tenure faced challenges; he missed the entire 2024 season due to an Achilles tendon injury.
The Eagles have designated Bradberry’s release as post-June 1, a strategic move that allows the team to distribute his dead money cap hit over two years. This approach will result in a $2.1 million salary cap savings for the 2025 season. This decision follows the recent release of fellow cornerback Darius Slay, also designated post-June 1, which provided an additional $4.3 million in cap relief.
Bradberry’s career statistics include 478 tackles, 19 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries over 125 games. Despite his injury setbacks, he has been recognized for his coverage skills and on-field leadership.
Reflecting on his release, Bradberry expressed gratitude for his time with the Eagles, stating he “cherished the moments” shared with teammates and fans. He now enters free agency, where his experience and previous performance are expected to attract interest from teams seeking to bolster their secondary.
The Eagles’ decision to release both Bradberry and Slay underscores a broader strategy to rejuvenate their defense with younger talent while navigating the financial complexities of the NFL’s salary cap. As the new league year approaches, the team is anticipated to explore opportunities in free agency and the draft to address the vacancies in their secondary.
Fans and analysts will be closely monitoring how the Eagles manage these transitions and how Bradberry’s career progresses as he seeks a new team for the upcoming season.
Source: NYPOST
