On Wednesday afternoon, the Eagles announced they've released inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans.
#Eagles release LB DeMeco Ryans.
Doug Pederson & Howie Roseman will address the move at 4:15 from the #NFLCombine. pic.twitter.com/VMF1HEnWvd
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 24, 2016
By releasing the 31-year-old linebacker, the Eagles will reportedly save themselves $3.5 million in salary cap space while eating $1 million of dead money. Ryans was set to make $4.5 million in 2016 as the last year of a two-year extension he signed prior to the 2015 season. (contract information courtesy of Spotrac.com)
Ryans played four seasons in Philadelphia after starting his career with the Houston Texans. He played and started in all 16 games his first two seasons and was on pace to do the same in 2014 before an Achilles injury against his former team sidelined him for the rest of the year. Ryans started 13 games for the Eagles last season. During his time in Philadelphia, Ryans accounted for 256 tackles, five sacks, five interceptions, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Following his injury in Houston, former Eagles coach Chip Kelly labeled Ryans as the 'Mufasa' of the Eagles locker room. The homage to the Disney character from the movie 'The Lion King' followed Ryans throughout the remainder of his career in Philadelphia. Oddly enough, when he suffered an injury against the Giants in week six of the 2015 season, his replacement Jordan Hicks earned the moniker of 'Simba' (referencing Mufasa's son in the movie). This move would seem to indicate that Hicks is likely the leading option to take over as the heart of the Eagles defense under Jim Schwartz starting in the 2016 season.
Both Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson will address the media at the NFL Combine late Wednesday afternoon. We'll update this story with anything they have to say about the veteran linebacker and his time with the Eagles.
Somers Price is a contributor to Eagledelphia and can be followed on Twitter @somersprice
