The Philadelphia Eagles are busy trying to figure out the futures of some of their key stars. Head coach Chip Kelly is now fully in charge of player personnel, getting final say on all roster moves, so the question becomes who stays and who goes in 2015. Everyone from Nick Foles to LeSean McCoy are seeing their names on the trade circuit, while Jeremy Maclin is patiently waiting for a new contract.
Salary cap issues might not be a problem for the Eagles which could help free up some tough decisions for the team. With Maclin's contract a priority, many believe a new deal could come at the expense of McCoy. However, that might now be the case when the team's finances are analyzed. According to Spotrac.com, the Eagles will be somewhere around $20 million under the cap for 2015. That is a solid amount of space to work with.
Philadelphia has a lot of glaring roster needs especially on defense while also considering new contracts for players like Fletcher Cox, Brandon Boykin and Foles. The money could get eaten up relatively quickly. According to CSNPhilly.com, the Eagles will first release dead weight in players like Trent Cole and James Casey. Cary Williams and DeMeco Ryans could also follow thanks to poor play and injuries. Making those moves should mean players like McCoy and Maclin return in 2015.
The running back is going to be a $12 million cap hit in 2015. He told the media that taking a pay cut is not an option while he could be willing to restructure his deal in order to help Maclin.
"I know how hard it is to keep a team together and I want to be part of this team. But I don't want to take less money," McCoy said, via NJ.com. "I want to figure a way to make it happen [where] we're all together. We're going to work it work it out and see what happens. I got to pay my boy Mac."
If the Eagles keep both, Foles should not expect a new deal. Reports continue to fly that the Eagles are aiming to acquire Marcus Mariota in a draft trade which means Foles would be out. However, the quarterback told ProFootballTalk.com that he fully intends on returning to the Eagles in 2015 and he will be the team's starter.
"Yeah you hear about it," Foles said. "You are going to hear about it every single year. That's just part of it. The main word is 'rumor.' You can't put too much into it....I plan on being in Philly. I only listen to (head coach) Chip Kelly. That's what is most important. He is the one that will make the decision. Right now all I am going to do is work because I plan on being back in Philadelphia and playing with my team."