Eagles might have to let these veterans go as cap casualties this offseason

1.  DE Derek Barnett

In four seasons since being drafted 14th overall in 2017, Barnett has barely more sacks (19.5) than games missed (16). The Eagles picked up his fifth-year option for 2021 last offseason, and he’s still not 25 years old (June 25). So there’s a strong case for keeping him around.

But the Eagles salary cap issues push things the other way. They can cut Barnett and clear his entire $10.051 million cap hit (the eighth-highest cap hit on the team right now), with no dead money consequence. A contract extension to reduce that cap number is an option. But Barnett’s lack of high-end production and missed time stretches the notion that an extension is worthwhile. A cut is cleaner, and the Eagles need to find as many clear, no-dead money cuts as they can.

Giving up on a player Barnett’s age is not easy. But the best position group the Eagles might very well be their defensive line, even with Malik Jackson out the door too, so they can survive. Howie Roseman can leave no stone unturned to trim cap dollars. Giving up on the player taken with the first-round pick he pried from the Vikings in the Sam Bradford trade in 2016 is a likely cost of doing business this offseason.