The Philadelphia Eagles are moving on from a former first-round draft pick.
As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday, November 24, the Eagles are waiving defensive end Derek Barnett.
“Eagles are waiving DE Derek Barnett today, per sources,” writes Schefter. “The 14th overall pick of the 2017 Draft is expected to draw interest and find a new home soon.”
Eagles Release Derek Barnett After He Was Involved in Trade Rumors
Barnett’s name had been mentioned in trade rumors leading up to roster cutdown day at the end of the preseason and before the October trade deadline. While Barnett was given permission to seek a trade as early as August, no deal occurred, and the veteran remained on the roster as the season began.
Prior to roster cutdown day at the end of the preseason and before the October trade deadline, Barnett’s name had been referenced in trade rumors. While Barnett was granted permission to seek a trade as early as August, no deal was struck, and the veteran remained on the roster as the season began.
While Barnett had been a full-time starter between 2018 and 2021, a torn ACL in the 2022 season opening prevented him from returning to the defensive line rotation. In his absence, the Eagles not only won the Super Bowl, but also had one of the best single seasons for total sacks in NFL history, finishing with 70 total sacks, the third-most in NFL history.
NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank highlighted immediately after Barnett’s dismissal that the veteran had no sacks in his remaining 15 games with the organization.
“He went from rotational edge rusher to inactive and now to off the team,” Frank said. “The Eagles released one-time first-round pick Derek Barnett on Friday, who had only 21 12 sacks in 73 career games and none in his last 15 games.”
Why Teams May Try to Pick up Derek Barnett on Waivers
The 27-year-old will now go through the waiver process with less than $500K in basic salary remaining, which may be appealing to some teams searching for pass-rush aid. He’s also on the final year of a three-year, $15 million contract that he reworked prior to the start of the 2023 season.
As Sam Robinson of Pro Football Rumors points out, teams may be tempted to claim Barnett via waivers before he becomes a free agent.
“With just about every team possessing inferior D-line depth to the Eagles, Barnett should find more playing time elsewhere,” Robinson argues in his article. “Ex-Eagles DCs Jonathan Gannon and Jim Schwartz live in Arizona.” A landing with a contender makes sense, but if a team views Barnett as a multiyear option via the exclusive negotiating rights that continue until mid-March, a waiver claim to avoid free agency makes sense.”
Barnett is best remembered for recovering Tom Brady’s fumble after Brandon Graham’s sack in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LII, which helped the club upset the New England Patriots, 41-33.
The former No. 14 overall pick will finish his Eagles career with 150 tackles and 21.5 sacks in 73 games and 45 appearances over seven seasons.
