The Philadelphia Eagles officially called for a mulligan when they agreed to trade running back DeMarco Murray to the Tennessee Titans yesterday. As many expected, handing a ball carrier with his injury history and particular playing style a five-year deal worth $45 million was not the smartest course of action. However, it now sounds like fellow RB Ryan Mathews, also signed last year, is being shopped around by Philly as well.
#Eagles have made it known that it's not just DeMarco Murray who is available, but also Ryan Mathews, as well, for the right price.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2016
Mathews carried the ball 106 times for 539 yards (5.1 YPC) and six touchdowns last year. He has experience as a No. 1 RB, posting two 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the San Diego Chargers, but also has an extensive injury history of his own. Mathews has appeared in just 73 of a possible 96 games since being drafted in the first round back in 2010. Still, shipping him out would leave 32-year-old Darren Sproles as the top back on the roster. Something tells me the Eagles would like to avoid such a scenario.
Though Mathews again struggled to stay healthy in 2015, he remains a solid option capable of producing when on the field. Plus, the two years and $9 million left on his contract doesn't look nearly as bad as the four years and $40 million left on Murray's.
But Mathews isn't the only veteran on the trading block right now.
Word on the street is that former University of Miami DE Calais Campbell is being shopped. — Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) March 7, 2016
The Arizona Cardinals defense finished the 2015 season ranked No. 5 in yards allowed per game (321.7) and No. 2 in takeaways (33). One catalyst of that success was defensive end Calais Campbell, who notched 61 tackles and five sacks.
However, the 29-year-old carries a $15.25 million cap hit in 2016, the second highest in the league among defensive ends behind Muhammad Wilkerson. With so much money funneled to Campbell, the Cardinals will struggle to replace free agents Jerraud Powers and Rashad Johnson and add outside talent to their roster this offseason. It's possible that the two sides can restructure the final year of this back-loaded deal signed in 2012. But if not, perhaps a cap flush team with a need on the edge would be a taker.
