On April 22nd, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that they were releasing defensive end Derek Barnett after four seasons with the team. Barnett, the Eagles’ first-round pick in 2017, was a key part of the team’s Super Bowl LII victory and had been a consistent presence on the defensive line since his arrival.
Barnett was a standout player at the University of Tennessee, where he set the school record for career sacks. His success in college led to him being selected 14th overall by the Eagles in the 2017 NFL Draft. Barnett made an immediate impact in his rookie season, recording five sacks and two forced fumbles in just 13 games. He also had a crucial strip-sack of Tom Brady in the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.
In 2018, Barnett had a career-high 6.5 sacks and was a key part of the Eagles’ defensive line rotation. He also had a memorable game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he recorded two sacks and forced a fumble. He followed that up with another solid season in 2019, recording five sacks and two forced fumbles.
Unfortunately, Barnett’s 2020 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. He was placed on injured reserve in October and missed the remainder of the season. With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2021 season, the Eagles decided to part ways with Barnett and move on from his four-year tenure with the team.
The Eagles will certainly miss Barnett’s presence on their defensive line. He was a consistent force against opposing quarterbacks and was a key part of their Super Bowl victory. While his time with the Eagles has come to an end, Barnett will undoubtedly find success wherever he ends up next.