Ryan Matthews joins DeMarco Murray, signs with Philadelphia Eagles

Ryan Matthews is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles despite the addition of DeMarco Murray and they now boast the best running back tandem in the NFL.

After signing the NFL’s leading rusher and 2014 AP Offensive Player of the Year, DeMarco Murray earlier in the day on Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles doubled down and signed former San Diego Chargers running back, Ryan Matthews.

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After the Eagles lost out in their pursuit of Frank Gore earlier in the week, they focused on the former first round pick of the Chargers to be the featured back to replace the traded LeSean McCoy, but then things took a twist with the signing of Murray.

There was some hesitation if Matthews was still intent on signing with the Eagles and sharing the backfield with Murray on Thursday morning, but a few short hours later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed that Matthews is signing his deal in Philadelphia.

Eagles head coach Chip Kelly came under fire earlier this month with the decision to trade McCoy one year after he led the NFL in rushing, but he got 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Kiko Alonso in the deal and replaced McCoy with last year’s leading rusher in Murray and a former first round pick in Matthews.

Still think Kelly is in over his head?

Matthews turns 28 in May and is coming off an injury-plagued season that limited him to eight games and 330 yards and three rushing touchdowns. But two seasons ago, Matthews rushed for a career-high 1,256 yards and six touchdowns.

Playing a reserve role to Murray should do them both a world of good. Murray won’t have to lead the NFL in carries like he did last year with the Dallas Cowboys and Matthews will benefit from running against a tired defense that Murray and Darren Sproles wore down.

Further, Matthews’ injury history isn’t as big of a concern with Murray around and with a lighter workload, that could ease his tendency to be prone to injury.

Kelly built his Oregon teams around the run game with the likes of LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas running wild in his offense and he’s done that in Philadelphia.

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