Why Exploring Trading Jordan Matthews Makes Sense for the Eagles

The Eagles will be very aggressive this offseason exploring ways to upgrade their receiving corps. They will explore trades, signings, and target receivers in April's NFL Draft. The Eagles' current best WR is a slot receiver in Jordan Matthews. Whenever your best receiver plays the slot, that is never ideal. Typically, your best playmakers play on the outside. Matthews has struggled on the outside, and his inability to get separation has become evident. The Eagles are limited in the number of ways he can be used with his lack of speed and explosiveness, and for a possession receiver, he has been moderately disappointing in the red zone.

If the Eagles intend to add two starting-caliber wideouts this offseason, and pay significant money for them(now or down the road), it may not be in their best interest to pay Jordan Matthews the big bucks when he becomes a restricted free agent next March. Slot receivers are a dime a dozen. You can find cheap, affordable, high quality slot receivers in the later rounds in drafts, in the second and third waves of free agency, and sometimes even as undrafted free agents. If the Eagles invest significant resources at wideout in the coming weeks, it makes little sense for them to commit significant money long-term to a slot receiver when they can get a something of value in return for a good, young receiver, and fill the position much more cheaply. Jordan Matthews could be used as a trade chip to address other weaknesses on the roster. If Sam Hinkie taught Philadelphia fans anything, it's better to trade an asset too soon than too late. Projecting rosters and players long-term is an invaluable skill that every front office needs. Procrastination can cost teams valuable leverage and trade value in negotiations. This allows them to keep their plans to balance out the contract dollars positionally on the roster. As a team now battling to create wiggle room under the cap, the Eagles can ill-afford to have all three of their top receivers making significant money.


Jordan Matthews will garner interest around the NFL, as a young, high character, productive receiver, and if the Eagles get a good enough offer, they'd be wise to consider it.