Bradham wins new deal, Kendricks may be on way out
The Eagles finally put a price on linebacker Nigel Bradham, and it made sense.
The sides agreed to terms on a five-year, $40 million deal to keep the 28-year-old veteran around for the foreseeable future.
The Eagles announced the deal Wednesday morning. The money figures were bandied about in reports. It became official at 4 p.m., the start of the new league year.
Don’t be surprised if the Eagles move Mychal Kendricks, who counts $7.6 million against the cap. With Jordan Hicks back and the Eagles looking for linebacker help in the draft, Kendricks is a luxury.
The Eagles formally confirmed trades for defensive end Michael Bennett and cornerback Daryl Worley, the latter of whom attended Penn Charter.
The Eagles shipped a seventh-round pick and wide receiver Marcus Johnson to the Seahawks for Bennett and a fifthround selection.
To acquire Worley, the Eagles sent Torrey Smith to the Carolina Panthers.
The acquisition of Worley makes the Eagles heavy at cornerback. It could make Ronald Darby expendable in a trade.
The Eagles also announced they’ve agreed to a one-year contract with linebacker Corey Nelson (6-0, 231), a special teams player. Nelson and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, whom the Eagles are expected to sign, were each limited to five games last season due to torn biceps. Confirmation of Ngata’s one-year pact is pending.
Ngata would be the replacement for Beau Allen, who, before hitting free agency, indicated on his Instagram account he’s out of the Eagles’ picture.
“I can’t say enough about the teammates and brothers I’ve shared this experience with,” Allen wrote. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world! Philadelphia will always hold a special place in my heart and I will always share a special bond with my brothers that brought the Lombardi to Philly. Excited to see what the future has for me!”
Bradham recorded 85 tackles for the Eagles last season, third on the team, along with one sack, one forced fumble, a fumble returned for a score and eight passes defensed.
Bradham, a locker room leader, also is the Eagles’ “enforcer,” the guy who drops hard tackles and harsh words on opponents feeling just a little too good about themselves. He contributed 12 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup in the playoffs.
“Nigel plays with tremendous energy and fire and has made a number of impact plays for us at the linebacker position,” a statement furnished by the Eagles read. “Keeping him here was a priority of ours and we are looking forward to his future here in Philadelphia.”
Allen is among several veterans the Eagles allowed to hit free agency.
The list includes running back-kick returner Kenjon Barner, running back LeGarrette Blount, linebackers Bryan Braman, Dannell Ellerbe and Najee Goode, defensive back Corey Graham, running back Darren Sproles and kicker Caleb Sturgis.
Tight end Trey Burton agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears and cornerback Patrick Robinson inked a four-year pact with the New Orleans Saints, who drafted him, then released him.
On another front, the NFL announced that Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills earned $364,744.97 in performance-based pay bonuses tied to playing time last season, third in the league. Offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai hauled in $293,132.51 in bonus pay, 24th on the circuit.