PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles have three options with veteran linebacker/defensive end Connor Barwin, as the new league season approaches.
They could restructure the remaining two years on his contract and keep the 30-year-old likely for the rest of his career. They could release him and save $7.75 million of salary-cap space. Or they could trade him and save the same $7.75 million.
If the Eagles opt for either of the latter two, there will be a handful of suitors according to multiple sources with knowledge of Barwin and the Eagles’ situation. The sources requested anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak on the subject.
“If they cut him, teams will be lining up for him,” a pro personnel man with another NFC team said. “He wouldn’t be out of a job for long. I would think they could trade him and get something back. He has value. His deal this year isn’t that bad.”
Barwin is scheduled to earn $7.75 million this season and for the Eagles and carry a salary-cap hit of $8.35 million, which is the fifth highest on the team. If they cut him, or trade him, they would still carry $600,000 of “dead money”, but would save the $7.75 million.
In 2018 Barwin’s contract increases to $10.25 million. So any interested team would probably redo that portion of the contract, or just look at him as a one-year rental.
Among the teams who could have interest in Barwin are the Green Bay Packers, the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts to name just three. All of those teams have room under the cap and not coincidentally all three teams use a 3-4 defensive scheme.
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“Much better fit,” the personnel man said of Barwin in a 3-4 defense, as opposed to the 4-3 the Eagles played last year.
The numbers bear that out pretty much.
In his three years with the Eagles as a stand-up linebacker in Billy Davis’ 3-4 defense, Barwin recorded 244 total tackles, 26.5 sacks, 34.5 tackles for a loss, forced four fumbles and recovered one.
Last year in his lone season as a hand-on-the ground defensive end in Jim Schwartz’ 4-3 scheme, Barwin had 34 tackles, five sacks, two additional tackles for a loss, forced a fumble and recovered one.
If the Eagles do decide to move on from Barwin, Vinny Curry would be his likely replacement as the starting right defensive end. What would be unclear is who would replace Curry and his 25-35 snaps per game as the No. 3 end.
Marcus Smith, the team’s 2014 first-round pick would be next in line, but has not shown much in his three years in the league.
Mark Eckel may be reached at mjeck04@verizon.net. Follow him on Twitter @MarkEckel08. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.
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