Coming off a season in which he recorded a relatively disappointing 6.5 sacks and heading into one where he's scheduled to count for $11.63 million against the Eagles' cap, something was going to have to give for pass-rusher Trent Cole. It appears the two sides have convened and decided to work out a new contract.
Continue for updates.
Monday, March 2
Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com reported the Eagles "are hopeful" about Cole returning for 2015. The two sides have been negotiating a restructured deal that would help alleviate Cole's cap number while still properly compensating him. The veteran pass-rusher is due a $10 million base salary, per Spotrac, which accounts for a majority of his cap number.
"I want to do whatever we can to make things work," Cole said at the end of the regular season, courtesy of Shorr-Parks. "Hopefully that results in me being here ... I want to be here. I've been here ten years, going on my 11th year and want my next stop to be here with the Eagles next year. Time will tell. Things will get done and everyone will be happy."
Cole, 32, has spent all 10 of his NFL seasons in Philadelphia. He recorded 52 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2014, far cries from his Pro Bowl peak but nonetheless better than the Eagles' alternatives. Pro Football Focus' advanced metrics were also far kinder to Cole, ranking him the ninth-best pass-rusher among 3-4 outside linebackers and ninth-best run-stopper.
While still effective, the structure of his contract made it obvious 2015 would see a restructuring. The final three years of his $48.52 million extension were heavily skewed toward base salaries, which typically make it easier for a team to release or renegotiate contracts.
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