Updated: 5:17 p.m.
The Eagles cleared significant 2018 cap space Tuesday by releasing linebacker Mychal Kendricks.
Kendricks, whom the Eagles have been shopping for the last couple offseasons, was due to earn $5.85 million in base salary this year with a $7.6 million cap figure. The Eagles designated Kendricks as a post-June 1 cut, which means they'll eventually have more cap savings this season.
While they can designate Kendricks as a post-June 1 cut, they won't get that cap savings until after June 1. At that time, they'll get an extra $6 million in cap space instead of $4.4 million now. Instead of $3.2 million in dead money this year, the Eagles will have just $1.6 million. Basically, it allows them to spread the cap hit out over the next two seasons.
Kendricks, the Eagles’ second-round pick in 2012, started 74 games and played in 85 for the Eagles. He had three interceptions — all in 2013 — and 14 sacks, including two last year, when he started 13 games and played well in the postseason.
"I love the Philly fans and I love Philly," Kendricks said to NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark.
"We did something special this past year that no one can ever take away.
NFL
"All good things have to come to an end and it's time for myself to start the next chapter of my career."
Kendricks was not on the field during Tuesday’s OTA practice.
The Eagles lost veteran linebacker Paul Worrilow to a serious injury during practice Tuesday (see story), and the two moves combined leave the Eagles somewhat thin at linebacker.
Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks are expected to start, and Corey Nelson is likely the next man in. Nelson spent his first four years with the Broncos before signing with the Eagles. All six of his NFL starts were in 2016. Nelson played only 44 snaps on defense last year but played 545 snaps in 2016.
Other linebackers on the roster include veterans Kamu Grugier-Hill and LaRoy Reynolds, who are considered mainly special teamers, Joe Walker, Nate Gerry and undrafted rookies Danny Ezechukwu and Asantay Brown.
According to the NFLPA website, the Eagles had an NFL-low $102,558 available under their 2018 adjusted salary cap figure of $177,890,151 before the move.
That’s based on the combined cap figures of their 51 highest-paid players. The NFL’s rule of 51 states that during the offseason only the 51 highest-paid players on each team count against the cap.
With this move, there are only five players remaining on the roster that played for Andy Reid — Jason Peters, Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox and Nick Foles.