NFL Free Agency: Eagles Must Avoid Jamaal Charles
Jammal Charles instantly becomes a hot name on the NFL free agency market
Kansas City was forced to say goodbye to the franchise’s all-time rushing leader Jamaal Charles Tuesday due to cap constraints, placing him among the top names on the free agency market.
Eric Berry’s six-year, $78 million contract extension and the need to retain nose tackle Dontari Poe meant keeping the 30-year-old running back was unrealistic. Spencer Ware appears to have solidified himself as the starter in Kansas City, and paying Charles over $6 million to come off the bench was unrealistic.
Immediately, fans and analysts will point to Philadelphia as a landing spot for the All-Pro running back where his former offensive coordinator Doug Pederson now runs the show.
While the Charles-Pederson connection is legitimate it does not mean the Eagles should go after the former Chief.
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Philadelphia is expected to cut veteran Ryan Mathews after two seasons filled with injuries and inconsistencies. Releasing Mathews will save the Eagles $4 million in cap space next season.
No Mathews leaves the Eagles with second-year back Wendell Smallwood out of West Virginia and special teamer Darren Sproles.
Free agents Eddie Lacy and Latavious Murray have been floated as potential targets for the Egles, and Charles will join that list soon.
But singing Charles is counter-productive to what Philadelphia is trying to do this offseason. Why cut the aging, injury prone back taking up cap space already on your roster then turn around to sign an aging, injury prone running back that will cost too much against a tight cap?
Next: Eric Berry Staying in Kansas City
Pederson and Charles may have a history together from their days in Kansas City, but that does not mean Philadelphia is the primary destination for Charles on the NFL free agency market.
Philadelphia should instead focus on drafting a running back in a very deep draft class simply and build around the rookie and second-year back Smallwood.