The Philadelphia Eagles have expressed some level of interest in free-agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Maclin, who spent the first five years of his career in Philadelphia, was released by the Kansas City Chiefs over the weekend in a cost-cutting move that will save the Chiefs $10 million in salary-cap space. He is to visit with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday and the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, per Schefter. The Cleveland Browns have also shown interest.
The Eagles lost out on Maclin in a bidding war with Kansas City back in 2015, as the Chiefs signed him to a five-year, $55 million deal. Maclin posted 87 catches for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns his first year with the Chiefs. The former 19th pick out of Missouri was slowed by injuries last season, though, and finished with 536 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.
He has fans in the NovaCare building, for sure. From owner Jeffrey Lurie to executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman to his former teammates, this organization is well aware of the gifts that he possesses as a player and the professionalism that he lends to a locker room. Head coach Doug Pederson was an assistant in Philadelphia during Maclin's first five years in the league and served as his offensive coordinator for two seasons in Kansas City. Unlike most free-agent situations, there would be virtually zero learning curve when it comes to adapting to the system and culture.
There are other factors to consider, however, including money. The Eagles are one of the most cap-strapped teams in the league with about $5 million in space, according to the NFL Players Association. Though the timing of Maclin's release (post-free agency and draft when team's load up on positions of need) could keep the number down, it's reasonable to think he will still net a decent deal.
It could be difficult to justify investing any sizable dollars in Maclin after signing Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith in free agency and drafting North Carolina's Mack Hollins and West Virginia's Shelton Gibson in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively. With a projected starting corps of Jeffery, Smith and Jordan Matthews, the Eagles appear to be in decent shape.
If the market proves soft and the offers are low, a return to Philly could gain traction. But with other suitors lined up, the Eagles will be competing with teams who have a greater need and more money at their disposal.