Could the Eagles have a full-on reunion tour in 2017?
In a column for ESPN, Bill Barnwell wrote recently that the Kansas City Chiefs could decide to cut receiver Jeremy Maclin, who played for the Eagles from 2009 to 2014.
Barnwell writes:
The big question, as I wrote about last month, is whether the Chiefs decide to cut Jeremy Maclin. Maclin looked ordinary last year as the offense shifted toward Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, and while he’s still a useful player as he turns 29, GM John Dorsey could free up $10 million on this year’s cap by designating Maclin as a post-June 1 release. If Dorsey makes those four moves, the Chiefs suddenly have $33.2 million in cap space …
If the Chiefs take Barnwell’s advice and cut Maclin, could he end up back on the Eagles?
The Eagles signing players that used to suit up for them has been a constant theme so far this offseason, as they have been linked to receiver DeSean Jackson and the idea of running back LeSean McCoy becoming a free agent has been floated around as well.
Like McCoy and Jackson, Maclin coming back to the Eagles as a free agent also makes sense.
Should the Eagles sign DeSean?
Maclin left the Eagles in 2014 as a free agent, but only did so after the Chiefs blew him out of the water with a massive 5-year, $55 million deal.
Reports at the time indicated he also didn’t feel wanted by then-head coach Chip Kelly, which caused him to go to Kansas City to play with his former head coach, Andy Reid.
Kelly is now gone, however, and Doug Pederson — Reid’s protege — is the head coach. If Maclin is cut, you would have to think the idea of returning to Philadelphia and playing for Pederson would be extremely appealing.
As for the Eagles, arguably their biggest need this offseason is wide receiver, which is why they have been linked to some of the top players at the position expected to be available.
Carson Wentz at Super Bowl
Maclin finished with just 44 catches for 536 yards and two touchdowns last season in 12 games, so his numbers don’t put him in the same class as the receivers expected to be available.
That, however, might make a deal with the Eagles more likely, as the Eagles don’t have much cap space to work with. At 28 years old, Maclin might not be a player the Eagles could build around for years to come, but on a two-or-three year deal, he could be the veteran receiver the Eagles need on the outside while they develop younger players they will likely be adding through the draft.
NFL free agency begins on March 7.
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Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.
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