Jeremy Maclin 2014 NFL Free Agency Destination: Kansas City Chiefs
By Erik Lambert
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) runs after making a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Coaches and quarterbacks aren’t always the players sitting on the hot seat. Whenever a new coaching regime comes in, every player on the roster who was there when he arrived is suddenly up for audition like any common actor. He better put up a good performance if he wants to keep his job. That is what Jeremy Maclin stares at as a new era begins for his team, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time as his contract is set to expire at seasons end.
Maclin and DeSean Jackson issued open challenge by Chip Kelly
Chip Kelly came to the Philadelphia Eagles with clear plan in mind. He will create his team with his identity, just like he did with Oregon in college. That means any player who can’t get on board with his style of offense will either ride the bench or find a new team. That is the message he’s sent to the players on the offense, including star receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Already Jackson has felt that pressure when Kelly demoted him to running with the second and third string players in practice. Only after a personal talk in Kelly’s office did Jackson get the message. Maclin hasn’t incurred any sort of similar restriction but that doesn’t mean he’s lost on his situation. He understands that except for the 2012 Eagles draft picks, whom Kelly selected personally, everybody else on the roster has something to prove. Maclin is in special danger because of his contract. One slip up or injury and he could be looking for new job in 2014. Does he have a future anywhere else?
Andy Reid familiarity makes Chiefs a prime landing spot
The short answer is yes. Maclin is not a game breaker like Calvin Johnson or Brandon Marshall but he is a model of consistency. The past three seasons he has averaged 893 yards and seven touchdown catches. That is the ideal production for a #2 receiver in an offense, which Maclin is. There is no shortage of teams that would love to have him, including the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions. However, one location that makes more sense than any other is the Kansas City Chiefs. Their head coach Andy Reid was the one who drafted Maclin back in 2009. He knows what the young receiver can do for his team and for quarterback Alex Smith. Kansas City already has a go-to guy in Dwayne Bowe but the fight for the second spot is anything but a clear picture with Jonathan Baldwin, Donnie Avery and Dexter McCluster. If Jeremy Maclin finds he doesn’t fit the Kelly offense in Philadelphia, Reid should welcome him with open arms to Arrowhead Stadium and the new Chiefs.