Eagles releasing four veterans.
CB Despite having a recent relationship with Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator of the Eagles, Parry Nickerson was not saved at a deep position.
PHILADELPHIA: Veteran players were involved in the Eagles’ first official actions during the 53-man cutdown.
Will Grier, the quarterback, Julian Okwara, the cornerback, and Max Scharping, the offensive lineman, were all formally dismissed by Philadelphia.
Those players all become free agents right away and are not susceptible to waivers.
West Virginia native Grier is in his sixth season and has been a favorite of quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore of the Eagles for a long time. The two coaches ran it back this summer in Philadelphia after working with Grier in Dallas and with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Tanner McKee, a second-year player, was never seriously threatened by Grier, 29, as the QB3. The Eagles management really likes backup Kenny Pickett, but Jalen Hurts is the team’s established starter.
Grier was supposed to be a field extension of Moore and Nussmeier, assisting the other quarterbacks in acclimating to the new offensive scheme. It’s also thought that Grier could become a coach in the future, with Moore and Nussmeier providing support.
Veteran slot cornerback Nickerson initially appeared in Philadelphia during mandatory minicamp as a tryout participant. His performance was so great that the Eagles added him to their 90-man offseason roster.
Nickerson, 29, who spent the previous season playing five games for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Miami, found the numbers game to be too challenging.
Nickerson, an NFL veteran, was a product of Tulane and had previously played for the New York Jets, Jacksonville, Green Bay, and Minnesota. Nickerson was considered a luxury at this stage because he is most suited to play slot CB, where rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are displaying early promise, and veteran Avonte Maddox is also available.
Being selected by Detroit with the 67th overall pick in 2020, Okwara was one of the most well-known futures signings you could find. Despite having a few good moments this summer, the former star of Notre Dame eventually fell victim to a deep depth chart on the edge.
Expensive free agent signing Okwara, 26, was behind Josh Sweat, a past Pro Bowl selection, Brandon Graham, a 15-year veteran and club legend, Nolan Smith, a 2023 first-round pick, Jalyx Hunt, a third-round rookie, and the increasingly effective Patrick Johnson.
The Eagles brought in three veteran offensive lineman with starting experience, including 28-year-old Scharping, as insurance up front this season.
38 NFL games have seen him start, including five postseason games with Cincinnati and Houston.
Scharping was first, arriving before Nick Gates and after Matt Hennessy. Within that group, Gates appears to be the most likely to make the 53, with Hennessy’s efforts being unimpressive prior to a back ailment further slowing things down.
Over the summer, Scharping demonstrated his versatility by playing left tackle, guard, and some center. He was the Eagles’ highest-graded player in the preseason finale versus Minnesota, according to Pro Football Focus, when he performed admirably.
