The Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with former Alabama offensive guard Evan Mathis Thursday. According to Phil Sheridan, a staff writer for ESPN, Mathis wanted to upgrade his contract, and wasn’t thrilled with the five-year, $25 million deal he signed in 2012.
He didn’t participate in the team’s voluntary offseason activities, and could have been looking at a fine, if he hadn’t shown up to the Eagles’ three-day mandatory training session next week.
Mathis and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were given an opportunity to find a team worthy of trade talks, but nothing panned out in the last two seasons.
Mathis, 33, took to social media to address the organization for a final time.
Thanks for the memories Philly.
— Evan Mathis (@EvanMathis69) June 11, 2015
Mathis was an offensive tackle/guard at Alabama (2000-04).
He helped anchor an offensive line that guided the Crimson Tide to the most rushing yards per game in the Southeastern Conference in 2004. Mathis led all Eagles offensive players with 3,675 snaps in four seasons. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2013, and earned NFL All-Pro honors.
Mathis was a top-ranked guard on Pro Football Focus’s offensive linemen assessment from 2011-13. Prior to the mishap, Mathis was set to make $5.5 million in 2015 and $6 million in 2016. Solid offensive guards are a rarity in the National Football League. Mathis is a free agent for now, but he will be in high demand once the 2015 season starts.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
