The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly set to exercise the fifth-year option for star defensive end Derek Barnett after months of speculation.
The 14th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Barnett is now set to make $9.45 million on the final year of his rookie deal.
The deadline for exercising the fifth-year options on 2017 first-round picks is May 5.
With Barnett staying around for at least two more years, here are four takeaways from the move.
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1. Eagles didn’t address DE position in the draft
The Eagles had needs, but the defensive end was apparently not one of them, making the case for Barnett to stick around. The Eagles will enter training camp with Brandon Graham, Barnett, Josh Sweat, Genard Avery, and second-year player, Shareef Miller on the edge.
2. Barnett is still learning the game
Even with Barnett set to enter his fourth NFL season, the Eagles star is still only 23-years-old. Barnett is still growing as a man and a player and his best should be yet to come. He’ll have to work on the discipline issues, but Barnett seems like a keeper.
3. Barnett is set to breakout
Even without the gaudy statistics, Barnett’s game is ever-developing and in 2019 he had career highs in several stats.
Barnett started 14 games during the 2019 seasons and quietly recorded 6.5, the most since entering the NFL. Barnett had 7.5 in his first three seasons combined.
4. Barnett has to fix the penalty and discipline issues
Barnett has killed the Eagles with undisciplined play and penalties over the past two seasons and he had 10 last season, including the playoffs, with four being personal fouls.
