Various league reports indicate that the Philadelphia Eagles have released 11-year veteran guard Evan Mathis. This is the latest bold move by Chip Kelly in recent months to churn the Eagles roster to fit his publicly-unknown set of ideals. However, this isn't a middling quarterback or speedy wide-receiver, this is a three-time Pro-Bowler and 2013 All-Pro lineman being released into a league full of lineman-needy teams.
Despite a season-ending injury last year and being quite close to his 34th birthday, there is expected to be a considerable market for Mathis. Rumors of trade possibilities swirled leading up to the draft, but nothing materialized, likely due to his $5.5 million salary for the upcoming season. That slate can be wiped clean now, though. He may not fetch such a high figure in free-agency, but a championship contender could structure an incentive-laden deal to maximize chances at a Super Bowl run.
The question here is whether the New York Giants could be a landing spot Mathis. The management will surely be interested. After they lost left tackle Will Beatty for at least the first six games of the season with a pectoral injury, they brought in oft-injured free-agent Jake Long in for a visit. Mathis could slot in and start immediately at guard, perhaps pushing Geoff Schwartz to right tackle.
But, at his age, Mathis may look to sign with a winner rather than the team who offers the most money and the Giants, coming off a 6-10 season, are a huge question mark. Mathis will need considerable persuasion, both financially and otherwise, should GM Jerry Reese foresee a future partnership with the former Eagle.