NFL Philadelphia Eagles

5 Veterans Who May Not Return to the Philadelphia Eagles

5 Veterans Who May Not Return to the Philadelphia Eagles

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As the Philadelphia Eagles go into the offseason, they have many tough questions to answer about which veterans they try to keep. Here are five players who might find themselves playing elsewhere in 2015.

5. OLB Trent Cole

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5. OLB Trent Cole

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Cole carries a $ 11,625,000 million cap hit in 2015, an extraordinarily expensive price for a player on the downside of his career. With rushers like Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry showing promise, Cole will most likely restructure his contract to stay with the club. Most in Philadelphia would love to see that happen, but if the numbers aren’t in the Eagles’ favor, Cole could very well find himself out of a job.

4. DE Cedric Thornton

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4. DE Cedric Thornton

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Thornton enters the 2015 offseason as a restricted free agent. He signed a one-year deal last year and has emerged as a key run-stuffing piece on the Eagles’ defensive line. I have no doubt the Eagles will try to bring Thornton back. But with contracts impending for Jeremy Maclin and Brandon Graham, free agent moves and possible other extensions, Thornton might slip through the cracks.

3. CB Cary Williams

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3. CB Cary Williams

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Williams’ tenure in Philadelphia has been disappointing with his on-field antics and off-field comments speaking louder than his actual play. The Eagles could save $ 7 million against the cap by releasing Williams, and I fully expect them to do just that. Chip Kelly is big on cultivating the right culture in Philadelphia, and Williams doesn’t seem to be up to par.

2. CB Bradley Fletcher

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2. CB Bradley Fletcher

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Fletcher goes into the 2015 offseason an unrestricted free agent. I would say there’s just about no way the Eagles offer him another contract. Fletcher was supposed to a serviceable starter, and he never quite lived up to expectations. With players like Nolan Carroll and Jaylen Watkins behind him on the depth chart, most likely the Eagles will look either to them or a free agent to take Fletcher’s spot.

1. QB Mark Sanchez

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1. QB Mark Sanchez

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Sanchez proved this season that he just isn’t a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL. However, I can’t imagine Sanchez will accept being a backup to whoever it is who starts for the Eagles next season. It doesn’t sound as though the Eagles’ brass is committing to anyone currently on the roster, so Sanchez may opt to find a spot with more upward mobility elsewhere -- teams like the Buffalo Bills come to mind.

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