3 Players the Eagles Absolutely Cannot Release This Offseason Due to Cap Issues

Since taking down the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, the Philadelphia Eagles have had trouble staying healthy and finding consistency over the last two NFL seasons. The Eagles have made the playoffs out of a depleted NFC East in consecutive years, but have been unable to make it past the Divisional Round. If Philadelphia's front office wants to stay active this offseason, they'll have to be smart about which players they part ways with to free up cap space. Here are three players the Eagles can't afford to release this offseason, even if it saves them money.

3. Malik Jackson

Eagles defensive tackle Malik Jackson, left, is carted off the field during the 2019 season-opener against the Redskins. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

After breaking onto the scene with the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars, defensive tackle Malik Jackson's tenure with in Philadelphia has been a major dissapointment. The Eagles signed Jackson to a 3-year, $30 million deal a few day after the Jaguars released him last March, and he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 1 of the 2019 season. The 30-year old is dealing with his first major injury of his pro career that will surely set back the progess he's made recently, but that doesn't mean Philadelphia should give up on him yet. Jackson still has two years left on his contract and carries a cap hit north of $4.5 million.

2. DeSean Jackson

Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson hauls in a pass and turns upfield against the Redskins. / Rob Carr/Getty Images

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson may be a fan favorite because of his first stint with the Eagles from 2008 to 2013, though it's obvious his glory days are behind him. Jackson showed promise in his return to Philadelphia last season before finding his way onto the IR with a core muscle injury. The Eagles will pay Jackson a base salary of $6.2 million in 2020 but the 33-year old has a potential opt out ahead of 2021, his contract year. Philadelphia might prefer to do without Jackson's contract but they really have no choice but to hold onto him for at least one more season.

1. Alshon Jeffery

Eagles receiver Alshon Jeffery waits to get up off the turf in a game against the Bears, his former team. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Like Malik and DeSean Jackson, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery's 2019 campaign was cut short by a slew of injuries. Jeffery appeared in 10 games and failed to record more than 700 receving yards for the first time since his rookie season with the Bears in 2012. With his production taking a turn for the worst, Jeffery's time in Philadelphia is running out. The 30-year old will be the second-highest paid Eagle in 2020, and his dead cap of almost $16 million ranks fourth on the roster. With so many teams around the league in dire need of receiving depth, Philadelphia is bound to priortitize freeing themselves of Jeffery and his contract via trade to avoid a cap space crisis.