The Philadelphia Eagles apparently have such a deep roster that they can afford to release former first-round picks. The organization announced earlier this week that they have waived veteran defensive end Derek Barnett.
Barnett, who was the Eagles’ 14th overall pick in 2017, was in the final year of his contract that paid him $3.5 million in guaranteed money for 2023. If another team claims him off waivers, they will be on the hook for around $500K for the remainder of the campaign.
The Eagles released a statement in which they thanked Barnett for his contribution to the franchise.
“He has been a great teammate who always played with high energy and effort. We wish Derek nothing but the best,” the team wrote in a statement shared on their social media.
Eagles’ fans will remember Derek Barnett for his contribution to the franchise’s Super Bowl run in the 2017 season. As a rookie, Barnett helped the Eagles to a 13-3 regular-season record with 5.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown. He also had a key fumble recovery in a 41–33 Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots.
Barnett hasn’t been a solid player for the Eagles since but hasn’t been able to carve a more important role for himself. This was particularly the case in recent years as he struggled with injuries and inconsistency. He played in eight games in 2023 and only has three tackles to show for.
