Chip Kelly met with the media this morning. He had a huge crowd at his table, all waiting for the scoop on the DeSean Jackson situation. Most coaches had a small handful of reporters. Not Chip.

The center of attention: Chip Kelly pic.twitter.com/ZgInjsEdGk — Dave Spadaro (@davespadaro) March 26, 2014

Kelly didn’t give out any real hard news, but did have some interesting things to say.

Do you want DeSean on the team? "I like DeSean," said Kelly. "We're going to do what's best for our team." — Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) March 26, 2014

Chip on whether DeSean bought in. "DeSean did a good job…. I have no issues with him." — Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) March 26, 2014

Chip Kelly confirmed he had a conversation with DeSean Jackson a few days ago. Wants to keep that conversation private. — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 26, 2014

Chip did not say DeSean wouldn't be traded. But he also says DeSean has not asked Eagles for new contract — Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 26, 2014

Asked why he chose to call DeSean Jackson 2 days before his interview, Chip Kelly said he felt it was necessary to ease WR's concerns. — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 26, 2014

Asked how offense could possibly be better without DeSean, Chip says offense isn't predicated on one guy. — Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 26, 2014

Kelly: "I think DeSean has a good understanding of where we are." — Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) March 26, 2014

Chip has made several positive comments about DeSean. What he hasn't done, given every opportunity, is slam dunk say DeSean will be back. — Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) March 26, 2014

So you aren’t really getting any new news. Kelly is trying to play it safe in regard to Jackson, saying things are good between him and the star receiver, but that the team would do what it felt was best for the team as a whole. Chip conveniently left out the fact that he’s the man who makes most of the decisions about what’s best for the team. Coaches love to do that.

Still feels like DeSean is very much on the way out.

We’ll see. Keep your fingers crossed, but your expectations realistic.

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There is another unpleasant bit of business to discuss. Apparently Evan Mathis wants a new deal. Reports from the owners meetings say that the Eagles have put him on the trade block.

This is another tough situation.

Mathis started 15 games for the Eagles in 2011 after a very up and down career with other teams. Mathis thrived in the Eagles offense and under the coaching of Howard Mudd. The team rewarded him with a 5-year, $25M deal prior to the 2012 season. Mathis played great in both of the past 2 years.

Now he wants a raise.

Part of me is very frustrated with him. Mathis just signed his deal in 2012. His contract isn’t even halfway done and he wants more money. That bugs me.

The flip side is that Mathis has some unusual circumstances. He became a full time starter at age 30. He’ll turn 33 in November and doesn’t have much longer to be a peak player. Mathis can’t count on finishing this deal to get more money. This isn’t a case of Darrelle Revis wanting a new deal every 2 years to max out every nickel he can and feed his ego.

Mathis knows the clock is ticking. He’s in great shape and might be able to play another 4 years, but he can’t count on that. He’s become one of the best OGs in the league and wants to be paid like that. Jeff McLane wrote about how that isn’t the case. McLane had this item in a report that went up some time back.

Factoring in signing bonuses, Evan Mathis will be around the 14th-highest paid guard in the NFL next season. His base salary of $5 million is tied for ninth along with Chris Kuper and behind Carl Nicks, Jahri Evans, Chris Snee, Andy Levitre, Logan Mankins, Ben Grubbs, Davin Joseph and Marshal Yanda. Mathis, who was selected first team all pro with Denver’s Louis Vasquez, had arguably a better season than any of them. But don’t expect the Eagles to hand out more cash. And don’t expect Mathis to hold out, although that would be the most effective way to leverage the team if he were looking for more money. Mathis signed a five-year, $25 million contract in 2012 after an all pro-caliber season in 2011 and after bumping around the NFL for six seasons.

Should the Eagles give Mathis more money? That’s tough to say. You want to reward your best players, but you also have to be careful about setting a precedent with giving guys raises, especially when the player is older.

It sounds like the Eagles have decided to see what they could get for Mathis via trade. One reason the team can do this is that they feel Allen Barbre is ready to step in and play well if needed. That would still weaken the O-line, but it wouldn’t be a disastrous move.

Chip Kelly was asked about Mathis and said he hadn’t heard anything. Kelly then went on to praise Mathis as a player and person. I would love to see things get worked out between Mathis and the team, but there may be a stalemate where the team doesn’t want to pay him any more and Mathis feels he has to get more. If so, something has to give.

One tough question to consider…will any other team give Mathis the money he wants?

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