Speculation is ramping up that the Philadelphia Eagles could release former All-Pro cornerback James Bradberry ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster cut deadline.
James Bradberry has two years remaining on the $38 million extension he signed in the 2023 offseason after helping Philadelphia to a Super Bowl 57 appearance, where they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs.
But Bradberry’s lackluster performance in 2023 plus the additions of CJ Gardner-Johnson and prized rookies Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell have led to speculation that the Eagles will cut the former Pro Bowler.
Cayden Steele of NJ.com speculated that the Eagles will keep James Bradberry if they cannot find a trade partner, noting that an outright release of the former Pro Bowler would cost $4.305 million and $10.813 million in dead money for 2024 and 2025, respectively.
“The Eagles could trade Bradberry to save a little bit of money, but finding a trade partner will be challenging. The 31-year-old doesn’t have much upside left. Therefore, the compensation given to the Eagles for Bradberry would be minimal.
If they can’t trade him, the Eagles will probably keep Bradberry on the 53-man roster. He won’t make a big contribution, though, because he doesn’t play on special teams. He will only play on defense as a result of injuries.”
Nick Tricome of PhillyVoice
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Bradberry signed with the Eagles in 2022 following his release from the New York Giants after a two-year stint. He earned a Second-team All-Pro selection after tallying three interceptions and 17 pass breakups (tied for the second-best mark of his career).
But James Bradberry’s play inexplicably regressed in 2023, as he had just one interception and five pass breakups. According to Pro Football Reference, he gave up 11 touchdowns in coverage and yielded a 114.3 passer rating when targeted.
For his career, the 31-year-old Bradberry has 19 interceptions, 112 pass breakups and four forced fumbles. He was also named a Pro Bowler during the 2020 season with the Giants.
James Bradberry Is Now Expendable In Philadelphia
The Eagles had one of the league’s worst pass defenses last season, so GM Howie Roseman worked to make sure that wasn’t a problem again this year. He brought back Gardner-Johnson in free agency and landed two of the top cornerback prospects in Mitchell (22nd overall) and DeJean (40th overall).
So even if the Eagles keep Bradberry on their roster, chances are he’ll have to accept a limited role behind a deep group of defensive backs that also features All-Pro corner Darius Slay.
