There hasn’t been too much news since rumors surfaced last week that the Philadelphia Eagles put Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis on the trade block. …until now.
The Miami Dolphins are internally discussing adding Mathis, according to the Miami Herald. The team is in dire need of upgrades all across the line, especially given the departures of guard Richie Incognito and tackle Jonathan Martin, and first-year offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was an assistant in Philly last season.
So what’s the hold up? Mathis is due $5.15 million this year and $5.5 million in 2015 when he’ll turn 35 years old during the season. The Eagles are also seeking a draft pick between the first and fourth round, when offensive linemen are among the positions where talent is abundant in this year’s class.
Mathis may have to be willing to restructure his contract in order to facilitate a trade to Miami, or be willing to sign a cheaper deal if and when the Eagles release him and let him become an unrestricted free agent.
In an interview with ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Monday morning, reporter Ed Werder said as many as nine teams have been in contact with free-agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson and his agent Joel Siegel. Two teams, though, remain unidentified.
Jackson is visiting with the Washington Redskins Monday, and both the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills have been linked to the receiver. In addition, the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Seattle Seahawks have all been mentioned as possible suitors throughout the process.
The Detroit Lions added ex-Seahawks receiver Golden Tate in free agency and has been connected to former Texas A&M wideout Mike Evans with the 10th overall selection. The team, which apparently is making wide receiver a focus this offseason, has not been identified as a landing spot for Jackson, but first-year coach Jim Caldwell told ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning” he cannot close the door about the possibility of adding Jackson.
“We haven’t discussed him,” Caldwell told DetroitLions.com. “I can say he’s a playmaker, a guy that can get it done. At this point in time, we have not had any discussions. In this business, you never say never.”
The Tennessee Titans are expected to release former 2,000-yard back Chris Johnson this week, and over the weekend the Jets and Atlanta Falcons emerged as potential suitors for the veteran. The Jets remain a possible landing spot, but not Atlanta.
The Falcons have no interest in Johnson, according to Pro Football Talk, after the Tennessean speculated that Atlanta was eventually going to land him.
