For the past two years, the Eagles kept Mychal Kendricks in a state of limbo. It was about time the team set him free.
The Eagles didn't release Kendricks on Tuesday simply because it was "the right thing to do" - if there was such a thing in this instance. They did it because the move will save $6 million against the salary cap in 2018. They did it because Corey Nelson is a cheaper alternative. They did it because Kendricks isn't an ideal fit for Jim Schwartz's scheme. They did it because, evidently, they couldn't find a trade partner.
In short, the Eagles released Kendricks because the 27-year-old linebacker wasn't worth $16-plus million over the next two seasons. That really should be enough.
It was also about time the Eagles put Kendricks out of his misery. He made no secret about being unhappy with his reduced role since Schwartz became defensive coordinator, asking the team to either cut him or move him last offseason. The subject of trade rumors annually since 2015, Kendricks probably hadn't felt comfortable about his standing with the organization for quite awhile.
At what point are the Eagles holding him hostage?
Good thing the club didn't oblige Kendricks' request last year, as he wound up filling in for the injured Jordan Hicks and playing a pivotal part in the Eagles' Super Bowl run. Some see that as evidence the team made a mistake in letting a six-year veteran with 78 career NFL starts to walk away for nothing.
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While it's true Kendricks came up big in 2017, he wasn't exactly an impact player for the Eagles, finishing the season with four tackles for loss and two sacks in 18 games, including playoffs. He hasn't forced a fumble since 2015. He hasn't recorded an interception since 2013. And rushing the passer, arguably his greatest strength, goes almost completely unutilized in Schwartz's scheme, which sent Kendricks after opposing quarterbacks just eight times all year, according to Pro Football Focus.
Numbers may not do Kendricks' campaign justice, but typically more would be expected of somebody who was set to carry a $7.6 million cap figure into '18.
The Eagles also feel they are in better shape now in terms of depth at the position (see story).
Kendricks' days appeared to be numbered the moment the club signed Nelson and the free-agent addition declared he would compete for the starting weakside linebacker job. It's unclear whether the Eagles are putting too much faith in the former Denver Broncos reserve and the host of linebacker prospects already on the roster. Regardless, the team likes its options.
So why force Kendricks to stick around? From the team's standpoint, it was a lot of money for the level of production, for not being a great scheme fit and given his impending return to the bench. The Eagles were wise to keep him around for one more year, but with other arrangements since made, moving on now doesn't sting as much.
The fact Kendricks was anything less than thrilled to be back only makes it easier. After handling his displeasure like a pro last season, then helping the Eagles win their first Super Bowl championship, granting his release seems like the least the team could do.
