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NFL: Eagles restructure Rodney McLeod contract to free cap space

By George Stockburger

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles free safety Rodney McLeod (23) during game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Steelers, 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles free safety Rodney McLeod (23) during game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Steelers, 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia could potentially eye another veteran on the NFL free agent market

Few NFL teams have experienced more productive offseasons than the Philadelphia Eagles, who’ve built an entirely new offense around quarterback Carson Wentz.

After dismal seasons from Dorial Green-Beckham and Nelson Agholor the Eagles added Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith in free agency to give Wentz NFL weapons to match with.

Toss in the additions of running backs LeGarrette Blount and Donnel Pumphrey, plus the return of receiver Jordan Matthews and the Eagles have an incredibly potent offense.

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Derek Barnett (Tennessee) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 14 overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Derek Barnett (Tennessee) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 14 overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Still looking to take full form is the Eagles defense, which improved with the additions of Derek Barnett, Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas, and Elijah Qualls through the draft.

Philadelphia could be adding another piece to their defense after general manager Howie Roseman did what makes him an excellent executive: maneuvering the salary cap.

Safety Rodney McLeod, who signed a five-year $35 million contract last year, had more than $3 million of his salary converted into bonus money according to multiple reports Saturday afternoon.

The move gives Philadelphia approximately $2.4 million in additional cap space, peeling themselves off the salary cap floor.

With the newfound cap space, Philadelphia has the opportunity to add to their young defense, most likely in the secondary.

Veteran Patrick Robinson and second-year corner Jalen Mills are expected to start over the rookie Douglas at cornerback entering training camp. Jones, the team’s second-round pick, is unlikely to play significant snaps in 2017 after rupturing his achillies tendon during a pro day workout.

Could this spell the return of Brandon Boykin to Philadelphia, or possibly the acquisition of future Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis? If cleared from a long history of concussions former Packer Sam Shields could be an option as well.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Offense dominates early

Roseman’s contract manipulation certainly opens the door for Philadelphia to add another quality veteran to a team looking to build and win for a starving fanbase.

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