Evan Mathis Could Be Chiefs Target, Raiders Likely Not In Mix
By Chase Ruttig
Sep 15, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis (69) leaves the field after playing the San Diego Chargers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chargers defeated the Eagles 33-30. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders fans who have Evan Mathis on their Wish List for a late offseason pickup before Training Camp are likely coming to grips with the reality that general manager Reggie McKenzie won’t be targeting the Pro Bowl guard to join the roster, but the recent news that a division rival might be in the mix for the player may just rub salt in the wounds.
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According to reports from ESPN’s John Clayton, the Chiefs are seen to be amongst the four interested parties in the now former Eagles offensive lineman. Joining the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts as the expected suitors for Mathis now that he is on the open market.
FanSided Chiefs’ blog Arrowhead Addict pointed out to Clayton’s recent mailbag on ESPN where he answered a Denver Broncos fan asking if John Elway would be interested in bringing in Mathis. The ESPN NFL Insider saying that he doesn’t see the Broncos pursuing, but does see the Chiefs getting into the race even if they have some cap space issues of their own that would make adding Mathis tricky.
"The Broncos aren’t among the four main teams looking at Mathis (Indianapolis, Kansas City, Miami and San Francisco). Though he would be big upgrade at guard, I don’t see them having enough money to make the move. They have $6.91 million of cap room left this year and have already committed more than $127 million next year."
It is interesting that the Chiefs are looking to see if they can fit Mathis into their cap space situation, which is tight, but that tight cap space also removes much threat of the Raiders AFC West rivals actually completing the deal. The Chiefs currently working with under $1 million in cap space all that needs to be said about the difficulty that would come in trying to add Mathis, even if they could try to convince him to take a pay cut for a bigger payday in 2016 the prospects of playing for $900,000 in 2015 is likely something that will be a deal breaker if Kansas City do open negotiations with the player.
Meanwhile it appears that the Raiders will not be vying for Mathis, which is disappointing even if it is to be expected as McKenzie would have troubles signing him in the first place due to Oakland’s lack of a selling point in terms of being able to promise a chance at a run to the postseason. Having the money, it would be worth a shot for the Raiders to join the mix for Mathis, but it is looking like the bidding for the proven run blocking specialist will be done by teams who have a more realistic chance of contending in 2015.