The Philadelphia Eagles have signed running back Ryan Mathews to a three-year deal worth $12 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The deal will become official pending a physical for the oft-injured Mathews.
While Mathews has shown talent on the field, staying healthy has been his biggest problem. He's played in a full 16 game schedule just once in his five-year career. That's why the Eagles may not be done spending at the running back position.
"Landing Ryan Mathews does not end Philadelphia's pursuit of Dallas free-agent RB DeMarco Murray. Hardly," ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweeted.
Philly jettisoned All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills last week, leaving a big hole in the backfield. Pairing Murray with Mathews would make for one of the most talented backfields in the NFL. It would also spare both running backs a lot of wear-and-tear.
Murray led the NFL in rushing last season but also has an injury history of his own. He missed 11 games through his first three seasons and broke a bone in his right hand this year. Lightening his workload is probably the safest course of action after he approached 450 total touches last season.
Can Chip Kelly pull it off? We'll keep you posted.
