NFL news: James Bradberry goes to Eagles

Former Pro Bowl CB was connected to Raiders

We can scratch James Bradberry’s name from the Las Vegas Raiders’ wish list. Until next year.

Bradberry, the hottest name on the current free-agent market, agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal worth a reported $10 million Wednesday morning. So, Bradberry, who was cut by the New York Giants in a salary-cap move last week, will hit the market again in 2023.

Bradberry, of course, has been connected to the Raiders for months. The offseason began with the Raiders trying to shop him in trade talks. Bradberry played the past two seasons under new Las Vegas defensive coordinator Patrick Graham with the Giants and Bradberry made the Pro Bowl in 2020. That connection (the new Raiders’ staff has added several players who worked under new staff members this offseason) and a need at cornerback made the Raiders’ interest in Bradberry, who will turn 29 in August, obvious.

It was reported in the nine days between him getting released and agreeing with another NFC East team that the Raiders had contact with Bradberry.

The problem for the Raiders, of course, was that they currently don’t have much salary-cap room. However, they will get some cap relief after June 1. There was growing hope in the Raiders’ fan base in recent days that Bradberry could be waiting for the Raiders to clear room. But in the end, he felt right about the Eagles.

Perhaps the Raiders will look at the position in June when they get some cap relief.

The remaining cornerback free-agent class still includes Joe Haden, Trae Waynes, Chris Harris, Kevin King, Kyle Fuller and Xavier Rhodes.