Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
So it did happen.
From the press release:
The Philadelphia Eagles announced they have released DE Vinny Curry.
Originally a second-round draft pick of the Eagles in 2012, Curry played in 84 regular-season games during his six years with Philadelphia and appeared in every contest dating back to Week 3 of the 2013 season. Curry totaled 147 tackles, including 27.5 TFL, 22 sacks, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in the regular season, while adding 13 tackles in four postseason appearances.
Curry became a full-time starter for the Eagles in 2017 and recorded career highs in tackles (48) and TFL (13), while notching three sacks and a forced fumble. He finished the season with a team-high 41 combined QB pressures and hits.
A few weeks ago, Curry seemed like an obvious offseason departure due to the $11 million cap hit he was carrying. After the release of Brent Celek and restructuring of Lane Johnson and Zach Ertz’s contracts, it seemed like the Birds would be able to keep him after all. But Curry wound up on the market anyway after he reportedly turned down a pay cut to stay with the team:
Curry was entering the third season of a five-year, $46m deal. The Eagles will save five mllion dollars with his release.
They will likely start sophomore end Derek Barnett in his place with backup coverage from the newly acquired Michael Bennett and returning veteran Chris Long. Not like it’s a huge deal, since the Birds rotate on the d-line and find plenty of snaps for everybody.
Vinny posted a farewell message on Instagram:
xxx