Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly reaffirmed his roster makeover earlier this season when he released All-Pro offensive guard Evan Mathis. Mathis, 33, was scheduled to make $5.5 million in base salary this year. Despite ranking as one of the best left guards in all of football since 2011, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Kelly obviously felt that the team's resources could be better spent elsewhere.
As such, NFL fans have played a series of guessing games as to which team would swoop in and sign the still productive offensive lineman. Although we still don't know where Mathis is headed, we do know that a decision may be coming soon. NFL Network's Rand Getlin reports that Mathis will join a new team in the near future.
Sounds like Evan Mathis may find a new home relatively soon. A source close to the situation says a "deal could happen anytime now."
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) August 12, 2015
The former third-round pick played just 608 offensive snaps last season and yet was still one of the more dominant run blockers in the league. However, it's unknown if the ten year vet and agent Drew Rosenhaus will be able to command the same $5.5 million annual salary due to his age and the close proximity to the regular season.
The Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams and New England Patriots were all rumored to have varying levels of trade interest in Mathis before he was released by the Eagles. The Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals have all stated that they won't be bidding for the guard's services. Still, Rosenhaus said earlier this offseason that at least six teams had reached out to him about his client.
Who will be the lucky winner? It sounds like we'll find out soon enough.
