Jeremy Maclin is getting ready to be one of the more sought after wide receivers when free agency begins on March 11. The current Philadelphia Eagles receiver may have sat out the entire 2013 season, but teams have not forgotten about the talent he displayed in his first four years with the team. With numerous teams in search of playmakers, a return to Philadelphia might not be in the cards.
Maclin wants to be a priority for a team and the Eagles are not making him that right now. General manager Howie Roseman admits that right now the Eagles' free agency issues are "complicated" as several players need new deals. Maclin is essentially competing with Riley Cooper for a new deal. The Eagles want to re-sign both players and could potentially offer Maclin a one-year deal, something he is not totally against.
"For a team that wants to give me a one-year deal, that's cool," Maclin said, via Comcast Philadelphia. "I'll just go out there and ball out, do the things I think I can do. Hopefully get that type of deal I'm looking for (after 2014). If a team wants to give me a long-term deal, I'll go out there and still do the same thing."
However, it appears there are several teams that might be willing to offer him something more. According to the New York Daily News, the New York Jets are eyeing the wide receiver as a top option for quarterback Geno Smith. Santonio Holmes is expected to be released once the offseason begins and the Jets are preparing to have plenty of money to spend this offseason.
The Jets had an underachieving wide receivers corps in 2013. Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, David Nelson and Stephen Hill combined for just 1,744 yards. Maclin would be a significant upgrade. The Jets could sign him to a long-term contract in hopes that the receiver helps develop Smith into a better quarterback.
The Kansas City Chiefs are another team preparing to enter the bidding war for Maclin. According to Fansided.com, Kansas City wants to load up on deep threats for quarterback Alex Smith to work with and Maclin has the speed to be an excellent down-field playmaker for the Chiefs. Kansas City does not have a ton of salary cap space which could make it hard for the team to acquire the wide receiver. Andy Reid has stated the team will not overpay for receivers, but Maclin has a strong and accomplished history in his former coach's offense making this one to splurge on.
Right now, all signs point towards Maclin's departure from Philadelphia. The receiver has stated his desire to return to the team, but will not turn down a bigger contract considering he is coming off an ACL tear that will hurt his leverage in any negotiations.