Philadelphia Eagles: Asante Samuel Wants to Stay an Eagle

While everyone is curious to see if DeSean Jackson will be an Eagle next year, there is also significant interest for another player whose status is obscure.

Asante Samuel and his 2011 season dwelled in mediocrity, much like the Eagles did. With the team failing to get into the playoffs, almost every player went under fire. Samuel was always one of the standout players of the defense and that made his season look even more like Waterloo.

His contract is the third highest in Philadelphia. The 31-year-old cornerback is due to make $8.4 million next season and that’s a thorn in the Eagles’ side. They can’t offer Jackson an advantageous contract and retain Samuel, so one of them is likely to walk away—or maybe both?

Samuel, however, declared that returning to Philadelphia for the 2012 season is his first and preferred option. He admitted that he has not talked to new secondary coach, Todd Bowles and that neither Andy Reid nor anyone else from the team’s management spoke to him after the end of the regular season.

Samuel also stated that he is willing to play however his coaches want him to and that he is fine with Juan Castillo retaining the defensive coordinator spot; however, he didn’t go into any further detail.

Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are too much competition for Samuel, who was named a starter in every single season he played in an Eagles jersey. If he really wants to stay with the team, I assume he has to call the team’s officials and tell them that he is willing to restructure his current deal.

The Eagles, though, might choose to trade him for a draft pick or a player they feel they need more. Such a move can be a triple profit for them: Get rid of a player you don’t really need, upgrade in another position and free some cap space.