Eagles to release longtime cornerback

The Eagles secondary is set to lose a longtime contributor. Cornerback Avonte Maddox is being released, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter notes that a reunion at a lower cost could be in play, as the sides will continue to discuss a new arrangement. For the time being, though, Maddox is free to pursue an outside deal after spending the past six seasons in Philadelphia.

One year remained on the 27-year-old’s deal. He was due to carry a cap hit of $9.68M, but moving on right away will not produce much in the way of added flexibility. Cutting Maddox before June 1 will create just under $2M in cap space; designating him a post-June 1 release would have, on the other hand, seen that figure rise to $7.12M with a far smaller dead money charge. No cap savings become available until June 2 when teams take the latter route, though.

A torn pectoral muscle required surgery and forced Maddox to miss considerable time in 2023. He was limited to just four games in the regular season, though he had recovered in time for the Eagles’ wild-card loss. The former fourth-rounder started at least two games in each of his Philadelphia campaigns, totaling 38 across his 64 appearances. In that span, he racked up four interceptions, 31 pass breakups and eight forced fumbles.

That production could make the slot man an attractive free agent if he lands with a new team. Struggles in coverage could — along with injury issues, of course — limit his market to a prove-it deal with Philadelphia or another suitor, however. The Eagles already have veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry under contract for two more seasons, but each have had their futures questioned given their age and the possibility Philadelphia could pursue a youth movement at the CB spot.

Both Slay and Bradberry are on track to remain with the Eagles, so the slot will be a position worth watching if no new Maddox deal can be worked out. The team entered Wednesday with roughly $42M in cap space, giving them much more spending power than a number of others around the league. If Maddox does indeed depart, some of those resources will likely be needed to find an impact replacement.