LATEST NEWS: The Eagles are anticipated to make a bold move by parting ways with a two-time All-Pro player, potentially saving $25 million in the process.

GettyThe Philadelphia Eagles may release two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ trajectory as a top Super Bowl contender seemed distant after acquiring two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. The move occurred just a week before the NFL trade deadline when the Eagles held a promising 6-1 record.

However, the Eagles’ subsequent collapse caught many off guard, leading to speculation about Byard’s future with the team. ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz recently proposed a bold move for each NFL franchise during the offseason, predicting that the Eagles will part ways with Byard in the coming weeks.

According to Schatz, Byard’s midseason addition didn’t significantly impact the Eagles’ fortunes as they faltered down the stretch. While acknowledging Byard’s talent, Schatz suggests that cutting him could provide the Eagles with much-needed salary cap relief. By releasing Byard, the Eagles stand to save $13 million against the cap, with only $1.4 million in dead money for the current year.

Byard, who has one season remaining on a two-year, $25.1 million deal, carries a $9.6 million salary and a $14.2 million cap hit in 2024. Despite these figures, the majority of his contract isn’t guaranteed, allowing the Eagles considerable flexibility. Releasing Byard would result in a minimal dead cap hit of $711,000, potentially yielding over $13 million in cap savings.

In the 2023 season, Byard earned a respectable 74 grade from Pro Football Focus, registering 75 tackles, 3 pass deflections, and an interception in 10 starts following his mid-season trade to the Eagles.

With the cap space created by Byard’s release, the Eagles may explore options to strengthen their safety position. Schatz suggests that the team could pursue one of the top available safeties in free agency, such as Antoine Winfield Jr., Xavier McKinney, or Kyle Dugger, all of whom are still in their primes.

Among these options, Antoine Winfield Jr. stands out as an enticing prospect, especially after a standout season that saw him post career-high statistics across various categories. However, speculation suggests that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might use the franchise tag on Winfield, potentially complicating the Eagles’ pursuit.

In summary, while parting ways with Byard may open up opportunities for the Eagles to bolster their roster, they must navigate the complexities of the free-agent market and potential competition for coveted players like Winfield.