Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry has been the subject of trade and cut rumors this season.
Bradberry had a disappointing performance in 2023, and combined with his substantial salary, it appears Philadelphia is looking to offload him. However, the Eagles would prefer to trade him rather than release him outright to gain some return on their investment. After being named a second-team All-Pro in his first season with the Eagles, Bradberry was signed to a three-year, $38 million extension last offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder suggested that the Indianapolis Colts could be interested in acquiring a veteran cornerback like Bradberry. Holder noted, “The Colts could use a veteran starting option at cornerback. While James Bradberry is coming off a down year, he was a second-team All-Pro in 2022 and fits the profile that Colts general manager Chris Ballard and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley covet at the position.”
Colts Could Be 1 of Few Trade Options for Eagles CB James Bradberry
Despite a down year in 2023, 30-year-old James Bradberry remains a valuable veteran presence in the defensive backfield. “Adding the soon-to-be 31-year-old would give the Colts another starting option at cornerback and a good mentor for their young position group at the least,” noted Holder.
The top cornerbacks on the Colts’ roster currently include Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, and Dallis Flowers. While Moore, 28, has 89 starts over his seven-year career, Flowers and Brents have a combined total of just 13 starts. Given this lack of experience, Indianapolis could benefit from adding a seasoned player like Bradberry.
Holder also analyzed Bradberry’s contract situation, highlighting its potential benefits for both the Eagles and Colts. If traded post-June 1, the Eagles would only gain about $1.2 million in cap space this season but would receive $4.7 million in relief in 2025 and nearly $18 million in 2026, the first void year of Bradberry’s contract. This would provide Philadelphia with greater financial flexibility in the future while acquiring assets for a player who may not play a significant role this fall. With more than $26 million in available cap space, Indianapolis could easily accommodate Bradberry’s $4.3 million cap hit.