Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Pair of Eagles defenders named 'cut candidates' for 2025

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated Feb 18, 2025 1:50 PM ET

How expendable are veteran cornerbacks like James Bradberry and Darius Slay Jr. to the Philadelphia Eagles? Very, according to NFL Network's Matt Okada.

Blame the rookies. In last year’s draft, the Eagles looked to improve their 31st-ranked secondary by using their first two picks on cornerbacks. First up was Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell at pick No. 22 followed by Iowa’s Cooper DeJean at pick No. 40.

While most assumed Mitchell would make an impact as the first cornerback off the board, no one expected DeJean would be making plays like this as a rookie. Neither player will be leaving the team anytime soon and together, the two will cost Philadelphia just $5.4M in 2025. That’s far less than the $18.9M it will take to keep Bradberry and Slay.

Darius Slay picks it off!

: #GBvsPHI on FOX
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/TlYJLcet59
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025

Following an outstanding 2022 season, Bradberry signed a three-year, $38M contract ($20M guaranteed) with the team in 2023 just days after Slay signed a two-year, $42M contract extension to remain with the team.

Bradberry missed last season with a lower-leg injury but posted the third-highest passer rating allowed (112.1) by a cornerback in 2023, per Next Gen Stats (minimum of 500 coverage snaps). Slay played well in 2024 but also turned 34 years old in January.

As Okada points out, designating either cornerback for a post-June 1 release would save the team anywhere from $4M to $5M against next year’s cap. While no Eagles fan will be upset to see Bradberry go, Slay could be another story.

Three of Slay’s Pro Bowl nominations came with the Eagles and he led Philadelphia in passes defensed in each of the last two seasons. He’s also been a mentor to both Mitchell and DeJean, which could keep him in town for one more year.

Of course, the team may look to restructure his contract and reduce the $13M cap hit he’ll bring next season, something he could be amenable to now that he’s won a Super Bowl with the team.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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