Chipoleon, as some have dubbed Chip Kelly, has decided to waive Evan Mathis thus ending the standoff about Mathis and his contract demands. Mathis was scheduled to make 5.5 million dollars this season and had three years remaining on his contract but was unhappy about being underpaid. Chip Kelly to his credit had acquiesced to Mathis and his agent and allowed them to shop for a trade but nothing materialized from those efforts. Mathis did not attend any of the offseason workouts or organized team activities (OTAs) and had been largely absent since the end of the 2014 season as him and his agent continued to shop for a deal. Chipoleon had made it clear how he felt about Mathis non-attendance in OTA press conferences and one got the feeling it was a matter of time. That time came as the team decided to move on from their 2 Time Pro-Bowler after they completed their last OTA practice and waived him so he could seek the contract he wants. How does this affect the team?
The team has to replace two starters on the offensive line with Mathis and also Todd Herremans who is no longer on the team after being waived earlier this offseason. Allen Barbe and Matt Tobin are the two players in line but there is a bit of inexperience with these players with only 11 starts between them going into this season. The team is younger with Allen Barbe and Matt Tobin as Mathis and Herremans were 33 and 32, respectively.
I could fill in this whole paragraph with superlatives about Mathis and say things like this is a risk for the Eagles but I want to run with the Chipoleon theme. Mathis missed the offseason team workouts and the OTAs and hasn't been seen or heard from since the end of the 2014 season. Out of sight, out of mind is what all professionals are subject to any job and Chipoleon has made it clear you earn your job and compete every chance you get or you're gone. Mathis tested Chipoleon and he's now on the street.
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