Nolan Carroll Unstressed Over Pending Free Agency After Up-and-down 2016

Nolan Carroll isn't stressing himself out about his impending free agency. He's been through it too many times before. 

The Eagles' 29-year-old cornerback will become a free agent for – by his count – the fourth time in his career on March 9. So he's pretty calm about the whole thing. 

"It's not up to me, so we'll see what happens, man," Carroll said on Monday, the day after the 2016 season officially ended. 

Carroll was a free agent last offseason before signing a one-year deal worth that paid him over $2 million to keep him in Philly for the 2016 season, after his 2015 was ended early with a broken fibula. He revealed last week that his agent had already begun contract talks with the Eagles, but then he had a forgettable last game. 

During the Cowboys' second quarter scoring drive, Carroll was hit with a long defensive pass interference and was then beaten on a double move three-yard touchdown. Aside from those two plays, Carroll wasn't awful in Sunday's 27-13 win, giving up three catches for 21 yards. 

It was kind of like a microcosm of his season. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles and their NFL rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Why Jeff Lurie has no problem with Jalen Hurts' stoic demeanor 

A look at the 11 Eagles free agents who haven't found jobs yet

"It was up and down this year, I'm not going to lie," Carroll said. "It was a lot of learning for me, being in a new system, a new technique that we're doing as far as corners. It was definitely a learning experience every single week, but it was something I'm glad I went through because, basically, I feel like I've really played every possible type of defense you could play and every technique. I'm glad that I went through the ups and downs that I did this year."

Carroll said it would "probably" benefit him to have another year in Jim Schwartz's defense, but again reminded reporters that it's not up to him. 

According to ProFootballFocus, Carroll had a slightly worse season this year than last. In 2015, he gave up 48 catches on 74 targets for 612 yards and four touchdowns, while picking off two passes. 

In 2016, he gave up 56 catches on 89 targets for 752 yards and four touchdowns. He had just one interception.  

To top it off, Carroll led the NFL with seven defensive pass interference calls this season.

Carroll has just three interceptions in his last three years combined after having three picks in his final season with the Dolphins in 2013. 

While this season had its ups and downs for Carroll, he started all 16 games for the first time in his career. He played more snaps this season than all but four of his teammates. He played 89 percent of the Eagles' defensive snaps this season, more than Leodis McKelvin, Jalen Mills and Ron Brooks, who all are under contract for 2017. 

Cornerback, along with receiver, is generally the position most think the Eagles need to upgrade. That could mean the end of Carroll's three-year run in Philly. 

The uncertainly, he claimed, won't bother him.

"No, I've been through this, this is my fourth time going through this," Carroll said. "I'm gonna go home and enjoy my time because I didn't get to do it last year. I spent the whole time rehabbing. I'm going to go home, clear my mind and not even thing about football for a few weeks."

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us