Eagles Take Drastic Action Due to Cap Space Concerns

The Philadelphia Eagles are dealing with the ramifications of right tackle Lane Johnson retiring before Week 5 of the regular season.

The Eagles offensive line is undergoing serious changes to its makeup in the early season, as center Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens this week.

Johnson’s sudden retirement put constraints on the future salary cap, and the Eagles are taking an unusual approach this season to try and navigate the salary cap to remain competitive in the next couple of seasons.

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Per Ian Rapoport of ESPN, Philadelphia is expected to keep Johnson on the 53-man roster the rest of the season despite the plans of the offensive lineman not to play in the league again. Philadelphia wants to keep Johnson on the roster until June 1 so they can spread out his cap hit.

“The Eagles are expected to keep Johnson on the 53-man roster throughout the season, rather than move him to the reserve/retired list,” Rapoport wrote. “The plan is for Johnson to stay on the 53-man roster until after June 1 for salary cap reasons, while Philadelphia also maintains an open window in the unlikely event he changes his mind.”

Another issue for the Eagles and Johnson is the $21.7 million option bonus he received this year. He’s expected to pay back “several million dollars” to the Eagles. The number is unclear as the NFLPA and NFL management council will be involved in the matter. Philadelphia doesn’t know what the cap ramifications will be for Johnson’s retirement until that matter is settled.

Keeping Johnson on the 53-man roster means the Eagles will not be able to use every spot on their active roster for a player who can contribute this season. That led to backup quarterback Andy Dalton’s release before Philadelphia’s game on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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