Eagles Cut Kendricks

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Mychal Kendricks was spotted leaving the NovaCare Complex before practice began on Tuesday and now we understand why.

The veteran linebacker was released on Tuesday by the Eagles after efforts to trade him over the past two seasons never panned out.

Things ultimately worked out last season when Jordan Hicks went down with an Achilles injury and Kendricks, 27, was forced into action, playing well.

His 2018 cap hit, set to be $7.6 million, was simply untenable for a third LB, however, and that's why Kendricks was penciled in as with Hicks returning and Nigel Bradham still around.

The Eagles also signed the more cost-effective Corey Nelson in free agency, a player who figures to be the Will LB in the base defense.

Philadelphia released Kendricks with the post-June 1 designation, a procedural move which will create $6 million in cap space.

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