Curry a cap casualty in ongoing makeover

Vinny Curry gave the Eagles everything he had for six seasons.

There won’t be a seventh, though, as the Eagles released him Friday with three years left on his contract. Cutting Curry frees $9 million in salary cap space, depending on the contract numbers you believe.

Curry, who declined a pay cut per sources, is free to sign with another team providing he clears waivers. Curry expressed gratitude on his certified MrGetFlee Instagram account for his tour with the Eagles, which encompassed 22 sacks and five forced fumbles.

“Who would’ve thought a small town boy from Neptune, NJ who grew up an Eagles fan, would’ve been drafted to his favorite team and win his and the teams first Super Bowl Championship!” Curry wrote. “All Gods Plan! Philadelphia, Thank You! Thank you fans for opening your arms and taking me in as one of your own! This has been a dream come true for me to have the ability to play for my dream team and bring the Lombardi trophy home to you all! Thank you to the entire Eagles organization, coaching staff and my teammates, MY BROTHERS! UNDERDOGS! Without you guys, none of this would’ve been possible! I love you all from the bottom of my heart! I am humbled by this opportunity and can’t be more proud to call myself an Eagle for life! This experience has been one hell of a ride! I can’t wait to see what the future now holds for me. Thank You Philly!”

Curry’s best season pass rushing was in 2014, when he registered nine sacks, trailing only team leader Connor Barwin (14½ sacks). The 2012 second-round pick out of Marshall saw his role change dramatically when Jim Schwartz took over as defensive coordinator two years ago. Though the Eagles signed Curry to a fiveyear, $46.25 million contract, with $18 million guaranteed, in Feb. 2016, he was beaten out for a starting job by Brandon Graham, who led the team in sacks this past season. In 2017 Curry was converted into a run stopper. The 29-year-old veteran embraced the role.

“We want to thank Vinny Curry for his contributions to our organization over the last six seasons, including the important role he played in bringing our city its first Super Bowl championship,” a statement furnished by the Eagles read. “It’s difficult to part ways with a player like Vinny who has made an impact on the field, in the locker room and in the community. We wish Vinny and his family all the best moving forward.”

Curry donated $200,000 to Marshall in the name of his late mother, Cissy, to endow a scholarship for the football program.

In a related move, the Eagles formally signed defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. The 6-4, 340-pound Ngata should bolster the run defense.

Previously the Eagles traded for veteran defensive end Michael Bennett, who has 54 sacks in nine NFL seasons.

MICHAEL PEREZ — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Eagles’ Vinny Curry gets a bit worked up during the first half of a game against the Denver Broncos last Nov. 5 at Lincoln Financial Field.