For the second straight offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles are engulfed in trade rumors concerning their former All Pro Corner Asante Samuel. Samuel is past his prime, but he still has a lot to contribute to a team.
That team, however, is not the Eagles. Philadelphia plays host to two starting Corners in Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The need for Asante Samuel is in the past.
Asante Samuel’s contract is absolutely atrocious. The Eagles owe Samuel $23 Million dollars, and only about $2 Million are guaranteed. The likelihood any team is willing to add that contract to their team is incredibly low.
The Lions were said to be interested, but those premature rumors were proven to be false. The Lions have no money to acquire Asante Samuel at his current cap hit.
There were also rumors that the Tennessee Titans would be acquiring Asante Samuel. Although a lot of sources are reporting this, it doesn’t seem to hold water. The Titans have the funds to acquire Samuel, but he doesn’t add much to the team at his current salary.
In fact, it’s unlikely that any team is willing to adopt Samuel’s contract.
Even if a team were willing to acquire Asante Samuel, there is no way that team would be willing to give up a meaningful draft pick to do so.
There are reports beginning to surface that mention the much more likely possibility; that Asante Samuel is cut. The Eagles have little use for him on roster, and are unlikely to find a team willing to make a move for him.
The Eagles are likely internally weighing the pros and cons of keeping Asante Samuel at his current pay rate. If the Eagles should come to the conclusion that Samuel is expendable, then I assume he will be cut.
