The Eagles have released Pro Bowl left guard Evan Mathis, which was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Adam Schefter of ESPN, and then confirmed by the Eagles as well as Mathis himself.
During the draft, Chip Kelly had said that the Eagles hadn't received any trade offers for Mathis, and yesterday, line mate Jason Peters said that he would not miss Mathis if he were gone. For the second straight offseason, the Eagles have cut a Pro Bowl player and received zilch in return.
Mathis is now the ninth old Andy Reid player to bite the dust this offseason:
Some additional Eagles OL thoughts:
• The Eagles will save $4.5 million on their salary cap with Mathis' release, according to overthecap.com.
• The Eagles' OL looked like this during OTAs:
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
| Jason Peters | Allen Barbre | Jason Kelce | Matt Tobin | Lane Johnson |
• Evan Mathis was the oldest projected OL starter in the NFL. He turns 34 in October.
• Prior to Mathis' release, the Eagles had the oldest projected starting OL in the NFL. That distinction now belongs to the Bears and Raiders. With Mathis out and Matt Tobin likely in, the Eagles went from an average OL starter age of 29.6 to 28. Of course, their OL is worse now, but whatever.
• I don't think Evan Mathis to Allen Barbre is a killer scenario. Barbre may very well be a competent starting OG. However, it's the ripple effect that could have dire consequences. Barring a trade for an offensive lineman, Matt Tobin will now likely have to start, and who exactly is depth?
• The Eagles are the only team in the NFL not to have selected an offensive lineman the last 2 drafts, and they are only one of two to have only selected one in the last three years.
• If you think the Eagles will be receiving a compensatory pick for Evan Mathis, you are mistaken. You don't receive comp picks for players you release.
• Darren Sproles put up 23 reps on the bench press at the 2005 NFL Combine. Maybe he can play LG.
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