Eagles release Evan Mathis, latest Pro Bowl player to move on

The Eagles released Evan Mathis on Thursday, ending a months-long stalemate between the team and the Pro Bowl guard over his contract.

"Thanks for the memories Philly," Mathis posted on Twitter.

The Eagles had no comment. Mathis said Chip Kelly called him to deliver the news.

Mathis has been the only Eagles player to miss all voluntary workouts this spring. He said he planned to attend the three-day mandatory minicamp next week, and even attempted to prove it by texting to a reporter a confirmed flight plan that had Mathis flying from Phoenix to Philadelphia on Sunday and returning next Friday.

If Mathis skipped minicamp, which begins Tuesday, he stood to lose about $70,000 in fines. If he showed up and was somehow injured while at the NovaCare Complex, the Eagles would have been responsible for all of Mathis' 2015 salary.

Mathis was just the latest casualty since Kelly was given full authority over football operations. He became the fifth former Pro Bowl player to be discarded this offseason. Running back LeSean McCoy and quarterback Nick Foles were traded, linebacker Trent Cole was released, and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin left via free agency.

The 33-year-old Mathis wanted a new deal with performance-based incentives that would allow him to become one of the five top-paid guards in the NFL, sources close to the situation said. His Eagles deal put him about 12th or 13th.

The Eagles offered a new contract last September, one that potentially would have increased his salary $1 million a year. But Mathis did not accept the offer at the time and when his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, attempted to reopen negotiations this offseason, he was told the deal was no longer on the table, according to sources.

Former general manager Howie Roseman, who had all of his decision-making powers stripped during the front office shake-up that left Kelly in control, was responsible for the initial offer.

Details of the September offer were reported on Tuesday and Kelly and the Eagles likely were not pleased. Two days later, Mathis is out and is now a free agent looking for a new team. Rosenhaus had permission to seek a trade the last two offseasons, but Kelly said during the draft last month that the Eagles had never received any offers.

But teams were interested, including one that engaged in talks before the draft only to change its plans after the first round, sources said.

The Eagles have been practicing with 30-year-old Allen Barbre at Mathis' left guard spot this spring. Barbre was supposed to replace the released Todd Herremans at right guard. Matt Tobin, Andrew Gardner, and Dennis Kelly have been rotating at right guard.

Barbre has eight career starts. Tobin has seven, Gardner eight, and Kelly 13. Mathis has 78, 56 of which came during his four seasons with the Eagles.

Mathis' age (he'll be 34 in November) was likely the primary reason the Eagles balked at reworking the five-year, $25.5 million contract he signed in March 2012. He also missed seven games last season because of a sprained knee.

But he returned for the final eight games and performed at a level that helped him earn his second straight Pro Bowl nod. It's arguable that his blocking wasn't as consistent, but the performance-rating website Pro Football Focus - always a fan of Mathis - still had him ranked as one of the best linemen in the league.

Mathis was one of the more physically gifted Eagles on the roster. He was a journeyman during his first seven seasons in the NFL and signed a one-year deal after the 2011 lockout amid the Eagles' "Dream Team" free-agent frenzy. He proved to be the most lasting of the group.

Mathis blossomed under the tutelage of offensive line coach Howard Mudd and signed an extension the next year. He earned all-pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2013 and rumblings began that he wanted a new deal just two years into his contract. Mathis returned last season, but his dissatisfaction remained.

He was slated to earn $5.5 million this season and $6 million next season. It remains to be seen if he'll get anywhere near those numbers on the open market, although a few teams (such as the Dolphins) are in need of interior line help.

The Eagles did little to address their aging line this offseason, although they still have time to trade for an upgrade. The free-agent market, aside from Mathis, of course, is light.

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The Eagles must replace two starting guards this season. Here are some names to know:

Returning players

Player   Height   Weight   Age   

Allen Barbre   6-4   310   30

Barbre will likely replace Evan Mathis at left guard. The eight-year veteran was already a projected starter and received a contract extension in 2014.

Matt Tobin   6-6   290   25   

The Eagles have been high on the 2013 undrafted free agent from Iowa for the last two seasons. He started seven games last year - five at left guard and two at right guard.

Andrew Gardner   6-6   308   29   

A 2014 free-agent signee who can play tackle or guard, the six-year veteran started eight games last season, six at right guard.

Dennis Kelly   6-8   321   25   

Kelly is a holdover from the Andy Reid era, and the coaching staff likes him as a guard. He started three games last year and has rotated with Tobin and Gardner as a first-team guard this spring.

Kevin Graf   6-6   309   23   

After signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Graf spent three weeks on the active roster and the rest of the season on the practice squad.

Others: C/G Julian Vandervelde, C David Molk,

G/C Josh Andrews

Undrafted rookies

Brett Boyko   6-7   301   22   

He was a high school quarterback in Canada who started 43 games at UNLV, mostly at left tackle.

Malcolm Bunche   6-6   320   23   

The Newark, Del., native played at Miami and UCLA, and was originally recruited to the Hurricanes by Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

Cole Manhart   6-4   298   22   

The Nebraska-Kearney product is considered a good athlete for the position. He played tackle in college.

Also: C/G Mike Coccia

Free-agent possibilities

Davin Joseph (Rams); Dan Connolly (Patriots); Justin Blalock, (Falcons); Charlie Johnson, (Vikings); Rob Sims (Lions); Mike Pollak (Bengals); Kevin Boothe (Raiders); Gabe Carimi (Falcons).

- Zach Berman
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