Barwin to Visit Bengals

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Former Eagles defensive end Connor Barwin is set to visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan.

Barwin was released by Philadelphia last week to create room under the salary cap, a move that freed up $7.75 million.

Barwin, 30, joined the Eagles via free agency in 2013 as a 3-4 linebacker and he became one of the team’s most productive and respected players, topping out with a 14 ½-sack season in 2014.

The move to the 4-3 under Jim Schwartz did not figure to suit Barwin and that played out last season as he was asked not only to switch positions but also turn into a weak-side pass rusher, instead of where he’s most comfortable, on the strong side.

Interestingly, however, Cincinnati also uses a 4-3 base defense under coordinator Paul Guenther.

Barwin finished 2016 with 34 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble and was graded No. 100 out 109 qualifying edge defenders by ProFootballFocus.com.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen