The Philadelphia Eagles have certainly kicked off their offseason in a big fashion before the wide receiver market has even opened. Chip Kelly announced the team was trading LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills in order to save a large amount of salary cap space. The Eagles made another critical move by not putting the franchise tag on Jeremy Maclin. Now the next move could involve the quarterback position, something Maclin is predicting.
The Eagles have been rumored to be willing to sell the farm in order to get Marcus Mariota in the NFL Draft. Kelly has all the power with the roster and Maclin believes that the head coach will do whatever is possible to get the quarterback he wants for 2015 and beyond.
"Chip has the green light to do what he wants to do," Maclin said, via ESPN Radio's "SVP & Russillo Show". "So I think Chip will go out and get his guy."
The Eagles have Nick Foles for one more year and have yet to begin negotiating an extension for him. That could be clear indication that Philadelphia intends to move up, the question becomes what the offer in a deal. With McCoy out of the picture, the Eagles could still deal away Foles to the New York Jets who are in need of a quarterback to help out Geno Smith. According to ESPN's Todd McShay, the Eagles will trade up if the quarterback drops down to the No. 6 pick. The team has some pieces that can be moved to make it happen.
The other remaining question mark for the Eagles revolves around Maclin who can meet with teams on Tuesday at the start of free agency. After losing McCoy, the Eagles cannot afford to let Maclin walk away. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles and Maclin are not even close to agreeing to contract terms and the receiver is a real risk to not return. The two sides are talking which should give hope to Eagles fans.
If the Eagles bluffing on their interest in Mariota, the team still needs to add another quarterback to the rotation. The team could bring back Mark Sanchez on a discounted contract. Kelly continues to say the right things to the media in regards to Foles. It remains unclear just how invested he really is with the quarterback.
