It's impossible to say at this point what Chip Kelly has planned for the Philadelphia Eagles next season, but one thing is for sure - he's got a plan and he's sticking to it.
Mere moments after it was announced that Kelly had agreed to pay free agent running back and last season's NFL leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, an average of $8.4 million per season, it was reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com that the Eagles head coach has now placed veteran guard Evan Mathis on the trade block.
"The #Eagles are working to trade G Evan Mathis, source said. More craziness," Rapoport tweeted.
Mathis, 33, has played at an incredibly high level for the Eagles since joining the team as part of the massive free agency haul in 2011, unfortunately dubbed the "Dream Team." He was an afterthought at the time but became the best addition of a free agent class that included Vince Young, Nnamdi Asomugha and Ronnie Brown. .
Mathis, who received his first All-Pro selection this past season, has now landed in the top-10 of Pro Football Focus's PFF 101 three years running.
Mathis is slated to make $6.5 million next season, so moving him could open up some more cap room for the Eagles after the Murray deal, though it would seem to leave the team barren on the inside. They already jettisoned veteran guard Todd Herremans this offseason.
As Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly notes, the team gave Mathis - looking for a pay increase - permission to seek a trade elsewhere prior to last season. Mathis' agent Drew Rosenhaus could find no teams willing to provide compensation and a new deal for the underrated offensive lineman.
Still, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints are all showing interest in Mathis.
As for potential replacements for both Mathis and Herremans, Ross Jones of Fox Sports reports that the Eagles have met with several top guards during the Senior Bowl and the NFL scouting combine.
