Any list of potential 2017 salary cap casualties is likely to include Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Connor Barwin.
The 30-year-old has two years remaining on a six-year, $36 million contract signed in 2013. Barwin is set to count $8.35 million against the Eagles' salary cap, but with no guarantees left, Philly can save $7.75 million by cutting ties.
Reading the tea leaves himself, Barwin told TCN's Breakfast on Broad on Tuesday that he'd be willing to re-do his contract.
"Yes, I would take a pay cut," he said, via CSN Philly. "I mean, my plan is to stay here. You know, people talk about my contract and I think, I like to think, I'm a reasonable person and I feel like I'll work with the Eagles and we'll restructure and make some kind of deal that works for everybody."
For an Eagles team heading into the new year in the bottom four in salary-cap space, per OverTheCap.com, Barwin's salary is the most easily adjusted. His production the past two years doesn't match having the fifth-highest cap hit on the team.
Since earning 14.5 sacks in 2014, Barwin's play has fallen off. He compiled seven sacks last season and a meager five in 2016. The move to Jim Schwartz's 4-3 pushed Barwin to defensive end, where he is undersized. The defensive coordinator spoke glowingly about Barwin's ability to play the new position last offseason, but Barwin's play said otherwise. It's clear that he'd be a better fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
Barwin said he'd like to remain in Philly but understands his play in 2016 didn't match his expectations.
"It was frustrating for me to not have the production I've had in the past," he said. "And then it was frustrating for me to not be in the playoffs again this year. In my career as a starter, I've been in the playoffs every year except for the last two years, so that was even more frustrating."
A player offering to take a pay cut can be the first step to not being handed a pink slip, but with Howie Roseman, the Eagles' executive vice president of football operations, needing to upgrade many other spots -- corner, receiver (to name two) -- Barwin is a luxury he likely can't afford.
