In a surprising move this offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl victory, have released two Pro Bowl defensive backs, Darius Slay and James Bradberry, with the cuts officially taking effect on Monday, June 2, 2025. These “Post June-1” designated releases free up approximately $6.4 million in salary cap space for the upcoming season, a figure that excludes the non-guaranteed salaries the Eagles will no longer owe the players. By spreading the financial impact over two salary cap years, the team has created unexpected flexibility, but the decision raises questions about the cost of losing such experienced talent.
The Eagles’ secondary now hinges on the promise of two second-year stars: cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and safety Cooper DeJean. While both players have shown significant potential, the depth behind them is noticeably thinner, which could pose challenges for a team aiming to defend its championship title. Letting go of veterans like Slay, known as “Big Play Slay” for his game-changing plays, and Bradberry, a reliable contributor, is a bold gamble for a squad with such high aspirations.
Darius Slay has since signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he’ll continue to showcase his skills, while James Bradberry remains a free agent, his next destination uncertain. The decision to part ways with these proven players reflects the NFL’s annual cycle of tough roster choices, where even the best teams must retool to stay competitive under salary cap constraints.
Whether these cuts prove to be a savvy financial move or a regrettable loss of talent remains to be seen. For now, the Eagles have $6.4 million more to work with as they reshape their roster, but the absence of Slay and Bradberry could loom large if the young secondary falters. In the high-stakes world of the NFL, only time will tell if this trade-off was worth it.