Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis has been linked to trade rumors for several weeks now, yet still remains on the team. Head coach Chip Kelly has not been shy about jettisoning key offensive cogs in recent offseasons, so what will he do if a viable trade partner cannot be found?
"Mathis, who was on the trade block last offseason and is back there again, might be cast off into the free-agent waters if the Eagles can't deal him, according to a source close to the situation," Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com wrote.
"Right now, the source said, the team is 'actively looking' to deal the 33-year-old lineman..."
Mathis ranked as Pro Football Focus' second-best guard in 2014. He ranked No. 1 from 2011-13. Additionally, his contract is more than managable. Mathis is set to count $6.5 million against the salary cap in 2015 and $7 million in 2016, the final year of his deal. So why would the Eagles want to get rid of a productive and affordable player?
"The source said the decision to shop Mathis is completely Kelly's and added that the Eagles are either looking to save money or continue to rebuild the roster around a younger nucleus - or both," Mosher wrote.
The Eagles would slice off $4.5 million in cap payments in 2015 by getting rid of Mathis this offseason.
