Jeremy Maclin, A.J. Bouye

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) works against Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

(Tony Gutierrez)

When the Eagles cleaned out their lockers late last month after their season ended, it was considered a no-brainer that wide receiver and free-agent-to-be Jeremy Maclin would be back.

He still might be, but with each passing day, the louder the noise gets that there is plenty of work still to be done.

Speaking on 97.5 the Fanatic, ESPN insider Adam Caplan suggested that Maclin switching agents has created a bit of uncertainty that a deal will get done.

"I'm not nearly as optimistic as I was before," Caplan said. "It's going to take way more work than I anticipated."

According to a person familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity, Caplan is right — the Eagles and Maclin have hit a bit of a wall in their contract negotiations after nearly having a deal completed towards the end of last season.

The holdup, as is the case with plenty of negotiations, is believed to be around money, with Maclin's camp wanting to make sure he capitalizes on what will be the first big-money contract of his career.

Although it is still believed the two sides will ultimately get a deal done, and the team still has until March 10th before Maclin can talk to other teams, the fact it has taken this long was surprising to numerous league scouts and coaches polled by NJ Advance Media at the Senior Bowl.

After finishing last season with 85 catches for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns, Maclin is easily the most important receiver the Eagles have on their roster. Losing Maclin would be a major blow to the Eagles' offense and catapult the wide receiver position to the top of the team's needs this offseason.

Maclin made it very clear last month that if it were up to him, he would be back with the Eagles.

"This is a great place to be,'' Maclin said. "I've always spoken well about the organization. (Jeffrey) Lurie, Howie (Roseman), Chip (Kelly), everything they've ever told me has been true. This is the place that drafted me. I want to end my career here.''

Maclin hasn't spoken since, but did fire off this tweet:

Not cutting my hair until I sign a new contract....the struggle lmao — Jeremy Maclin (@jmac___19) January 22, 2015

Chance are he still gets it cut in Philadelphia, but Maclin might want to prepare to grow his hair out a little bit longer than once anticipated.

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Sports on Facebook.