Making Sense Of the Cary Williams Release
Photo Credit: Jeff Fusco
The Eagles announced Tuesday that they have released cornerback Cary Williams.
The move saves the team $6.5 million in cap space. Williams was scheduled to make $8.17M in 2015. There had been some thought that the Eagles would see what they could get in free agency before making a decision on Williams, but they decided to simply cut ties with him.
Williams joined 97.5 The Fanatic shortly after the move was announced:
Cary “The team wanted to go in a different direction.”
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 3, 2015
Cary Williams “They didn’t give me a chance to take a pay cut or come back to the team… That’s their decision.”
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 3, 2015
The Eagles signed Williams before the 2013 season. He got off to a bumpy start, famously missing skipping OTAs because he had to pick out new sconces for his house. Last year, after a win, Williams questioned Chip Kelly’s practice habits, pointing out that the defensive backs had tired legs.
The move essentially means that the Eagles are looking for three new starters in their secondary in the months ahead. Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen are free agents. Malcolm Jenkins figures to be the lone remaining starter back in 2015.
Nolan Carroll II played dime last year and could be an option. Brandon Boykin has never been given an opportunity by the current regime to play on the outside. And rookie Jaylen Watkins only saw action in Week 17 last year.
The most intriguing free-agent corner on the market is Byron Maxwell. We put together an All-22 breakdown on him last week and will take a closer look at other cornerbacks in the days ahead.