Evan Mathis released by Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have released guard Evan Mathis, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The Eagles have been going through a stunning transformation this offseason, and the jettisoning of the All-Pro guard is simply the latest move in this reshuffling.
It had been widely reported that Mathis wanted a new deal, but the Philadelphia front office wasn’t meeting his demands. The tension had been high throughout the offseason, ultimately leading to his departure.
Mathis was scheduled to make $6.5 million in 2015 and $7 million the following season. By releasing Mathis, the Eagles are saving $4.5 million and $6 million, respectively. Philadelphia already had $9,2 million in cap space, so this is not a move that had to be made. Without Mathis, the Eagles are hurting an offensive line that needs to protect quarterback Sam Bradford, who is coming off a pair of season-ending torn ACLs.
Mathis, 34, bounced around at the beginning of his career after being selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Mathis played the first three seasons of his career with the Panthers before spending 2008 with the Miami Dolphins. After looking like a washout, Mathis was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals and played three years there before playing the last four with the Eagles.
Over the last two years, Mathis has become a All-Pro (2013) and made the Pro Bowl both times. Last year, Mathis rated as the second-best guard in the NFL behind only Marshal Yanda of the Baltimore Ravens. Undoubtedly, Mathis will have plenty of suitors coming after him in the coming days and weeks before training camp. With anticipated interest being high, Mathis should be able to secure a multi-year deal at a lucrative number.
With Mathis out of the picture, Philadelphia is projected to have Dennis Kelly and Allen Barbre at the guard spots, per the ESPN depth chart.