By Michael Donovan
So, the Eagles have finally gotten it through their thick heads that Mychal Kendricks needs to be shipped out.
Do they think that the other NFL teams don’t have tape on this guy?
Less than two years ago, they signed him to a five-year, $29.8 million contract.
Now the linebacker could be dealt to another team, according to reports. A source told Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski that the Philadelphia Eagles are “likely” to trade Kendricks. The Eagles anticipate interest from several teams around the league “via trade,” according to Kempski.
Kendricks, 26, started just eight games last season, making 20 tackles and recovering a fumble. He had a career-high 86 tackles, four fumble recoveries, and three interceptions in 2013, but hasn’t been the same player since, due to a lack in playing time and injuries. The linebacker counts as $6.6 million against the Eagles’ 2017 salary cap. If the team releases or trades Kendricks, it could save $1.8 million.
The Eagles could also make Kendricks a June 1st cut. Doing that would save the team $5 million.
Kendricks has played fewer snaps in each seasons since 2012.
Eagles coach Doug Pderson spoke after Week 1 about Kendricks’ role in the linebacker rotation.
“As good an athlete as Mychal is, it’s just unfortunate that we have to take one guy off,” Pederson told the Inky. “Right now…he’s the odd man out and he ends up coming off the field.”
If the Eagles opt to trade Kendricks, it couldn’t make a move until 4 p.m. March 9, the start of the new league year.
