Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsJD
UPDATE (4:22 PM): Per Geoff Mosher, Evan Mathis was preparing to report to camp on Monday. The Eagles decided to release him anyway:
Just asked Evan Mahtis if he had planned to show up next week. Response via text: "Yep. Flight was scheduled for Monday."
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) June 11, 2015
It finally came to a head. The Philadelphia Eagles just released Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis. Per Ian Rapoport:
The Eagles just released Evan Mathis
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 11, 2015
The news should not come as a complete surprise to Eagles fans, as it grew more contentious in recent weeks.
Mathis had the following to say on Twitter:
Thanks for the memories Philly.
— Evan Mathis (@EvanMathis69) June 11, 2015
I have serious reservations about this move. Yes, Mathis became a headache. And apparently could not be traded. But the Eagles were already dangerously thin on the offensive line this year. Releasing Mathis just makes matters even worse.
This also casts a spotlight on the dubious decision by the Eagles to not sign or draft any reinforcements along the offensive line this offseason. The Eagles have not drafted a single offensive lineman since Lane Johnson in 2013.
They will now be forced to rely on Allen Barbre, a 30-year old journeyman at left guard, and Matt Tobin, a young but inexperienced player at right guard.
Barbre barely played last season after suffering a high ankle sprain that required surgery. Tobin played at times last year, filling in for injuries along the line. But he was largely ineffective.
The move also puts pressure on the Eagles already thin depth. Tobin and Barbre should be key reserves for the Eagles this year. Now that they are in the starting lineup (at least presumably), that means other unproven guys like Andrew Gardner and David Molk and Dennis Kelly will be counted on as key reserves for the oldest offensive line in football.
Here is a roundup of reaction to the Eagles decision. Most of it has been negative:
Not sure either side will end up a winner in divorce. #Eagles just cut 2-time Pro Bowler and Mathis will be lucky to get similar contract.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) June 11, 2015
Surprised @Eagles couldn't get something (anything) for Mathis; money a factor. Scheduled $5.5 million salary now turns to dust.
— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) June 11, 2015
So now the Eagles' depth is, um…
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) June 11, 2015
Evan Mathis was our top graded OG from 2011-13, and was 2nd last year in just 9 games. Best OG in the game now available. #OnYourMarks
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) June 11, 2015
With Mathis, Eagles had all the leverage. Not sure why they gave in and created a roster hole with no obvious replacement in hand.
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) June 11, 2015
There are only two positives to take away from this dim situation. One, it theoretically improves locker room chemistry by removing a disgruntled employee. But whatever tangential benefit the Eagles derive from jettisoning Mathis will likely be outweighed from the fact that they just released a Pro Bowl guard with no replacement in the works.
Two, and I am only half-serious here, this move should put to rest the whole "Chip Kelly is a racist" talk that has been going on. If it wasn't clear before (and it should have been), Kelly wants total buy-in. If not, he will cut you, regardless of how good of a player you are.
I respect Kelly for sticking to his convictions. If people don't buy into your system, and you give in on your principles, you will lose credibility in the eyes of your players.
But doing so runs the risk that you start to reach a point of diminishing returns. It says here that this point was reached with the release of Mathis. Culture only gets you so far. You need good players to win as well. And with the release of Mathis, the Eagles just lost one of the best guards in football. I don't see how that helps them moving forward.
