After dealing LeSean McCoy to the Bills, the Eagles appeared set to try and replace his production with the addition of Ryan Mathews. Well, after already agreeing to a deal with one notable back and having it fall apart, nothing is a sure thing in Philly until it’s signed. The Eagles are now talking with DeMarco Murray, and some can’t help but wonder if that will put their deal with Mathews in flux.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) says it’s worth noting that the Raiders have always been high on the Chargers free agent. However, John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game (on Twitter) says that the Eagles trying to sign Murray has no impact on Mathews. Coach Chip Kelly, he hears, wants them both. Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter) notes that if If Murray joins Philly, it could affect tone of Mathews’ contract. Any playing time, performance incentives built into Mathews’ deal would more difficult to earn with a presumably reduced workload.
Mathews rushed for a career-high 1,255 yards in 2013 but was unable to stay healthy in 2014, playing just eight games for San Diego due to injuries. He could have a chance to turn things around in the Eagles’ revamped offense, but we won’t know for sure until he puts pen to paper.