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Philadelphia Eagles release CB Cary Williams

By Will Osgood

Dec 1, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cary Williams (26) runs back an interception during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cary Williams (26) runs back an interception during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Eagles released Cary Williams on Tuesday. 

The NFL offseason, barely getting started here, continues to be crazy. On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Eagles released veteran cornerback Cary Williams, according to SiriusXM NFL Radio.

At just 30 years of age, Williams remains a player other teams may have interest in playing for them. The 6’1″ corner is big for the position and was productive at times in 2014, recording two interceptions and breaking up 10 passes, according to Pro Football Reference.

Based on Pro Football Focus’ yards per coverage snap, Cary Williams was the best Eagles cornerback in 2014, allowing just 1.15 yards per coverage snap and an 89.5 QB Rating.

But the 1.15 yards per coverage snap ranked him 28th among the top players on each squad. In other words, only four team leaders in the stat were worse than Williams.

Williams signed a three-year, $17 million deal with the Eagles as a free agent in 2013, after winning the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season.

Williams was going to cost $8.17 million against the Eagles’ cap in 2015. By releasing him now, the Eagles save roughly $7 million, though will still have $1.67 million on their cap as dead money, according to Spotrac.

With the move, the Eagles are estimated to hold $32 million in cap space to spend this offseason if they so desire. Of that, they have a draft pool cap of $5,345,009 to spend on draft picks.

The Eagles have been rumored to be interested in trading up from their current draft slot at No. 20 into the top-five to reunite head coach Chip Kelly with his superstar quarterback at Oregon, Marcus Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner.

If they were to do that, Mariota’s deal would take up the majority of the rookie cap and likely cost the Eagles a number of 2015 draft picks. But it would likely make sense for the Eagles on the grounds that they have enough cap space to address whatever needs they perceive themselves to have in free agency and not worry about the draft much beyond that one pick.

The Williams release gives them more flexibility to work in that direction, should they so choose.

It’s likely that they will try to add a cornerback, which happens to be a strong position in free agency. Two of PFF’s top-15 cornerbacks, Rashean Mathis and Kareem Jackson, are free agents this offseason.

There are also some intriguing cornerback prospects in the 2015 draft class.

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