The Philadelphia Eagles missed the playoffs in 2014 and now Chip Kelly has some major questions, as LeSean McCoy's future is unclear with his contract situation, while the team may look at a trade if they feel that Nick Foles is not the starting quarterback moving forward, as Mark Sanchez is likely gone in free agency in 2015.
The Eagles won 10 games and scored a franchise record amount of points on offense, but it wasn't enough to get the team into the playoffs. The team made the postseason last year as NFC East champs and now heading into 2015, Chip Kelly has a number of issues to take care of. According to ESPN.com, LeSean McCoy has said that he wants to be back as an Eagle, but he acknowledged that it could be a question mark with his cap hit for next season.
Pro Football Talk reports that McCoy is set to make $9.75 million next year and he will have a cap hit that is over $10 million and writes that the two sides could meet to restructure his contract. If the two sides can't agree, McCoy could be a cap casualty like DeSean Jackson was last year, but with a player the caliber of McCoy, it's likely the two sides figure something out. McCoy ended the season with over 1300 yards and he was a steady force on the ground all season despite changes at quarterback.
The quarterback situation is another big issue for Kelly, as he has Nick Foles coming back from an injury and Mark Sanchez heading towards free agency. There were reports this season that Kelly was not totally sold on Foles and now if Sanchez leaves, he would have Foles and Matt Barkley on the roster and he could potentially look at trades and the draft for future options at QB. Foles threw way more interceptions than last season and ended the year injured, which leaves Kelly with some interesting options.
The Eagles finished the season with one of the best offensive units in the league again, finishing in the top 10 in passing and rushing yards per game, but they were just 31st in passing defense. The Eagles had been 9-3 and looked like a playoff team, but they lost to Dallas and ended the season on a three game losing streak and now there are questions about Foles. Kelly wanted to use this season to see how Foles is developing, but he missed half the year with a collarbone injury.
Kelly has a winner in Jordan Matthews at wide receiver after making that draft pick this year, but there are a number of other areas where the team is getting old, including at offensive line. Jeremy Maclin is a free agent after signing a one year deal and he should be getting a decent contract after the way he played and that will be another major decision for the Eagles. McCoy and the Eagles may work out a new deal, as he is set to make about $10 million next season and then just under $7 million the next year. McCoy has been one of the most productive backs in the league, including when he led the NFL with 1607 yards in 2013. Kelly likes both Darren Sproles and Chris Polk and that could play into things as well.
