Last year, it was widely presumed that the Eagles would cut cornerback Asante Samuel and his eight-figure salary. Then, out of nowhere, the Eagles traded Samuel to the Falcons.
It’s important to keep that in mind as we now assume the Eagles will cut cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
If the Eagles cut him, they’ll still owe him $4 million, with no offset for what he earns elsewhere. So why not agree to pay the $4 million and send him for a late-round pick to a team that would then sign him to a new contract?
Last year, the Eagles got only a seventh-round selection for Samuel. But that’s still a lot more than nothing, which is what a team gets if/when it cuts a player. (Indeed, compensatory draft picks are available only when players leave after their contracts expire.) This year, it makes even more sense for the Eagles to try to get something in return for the $4 million that they’ll be paying Asomugha whether he’s on the team or not.
Regardless of what happens, it looks like it’ll be happening soon. A source with knowledge of the situation expects a resolution within the next few days.
Which means that the Eagles may have plans for the $11 million in cap savings they’ll create by trading or cutting Nnamdi. Thanks to the pay-as-you-go contract signed by Asomugha in 2011, dumping his deal results in no cap acceleration.