Seattle Seahawks Rumors: All-Pro Offensive Lineman May Be Headed To The Seahawks
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Seattle Seahawks have scheduled a meeting with a former All-Pro offensive lineman, who would bring veteran leadership and experience to an offensive line lacking both.
The Seattle Seahawks are pursuing former Philadelphia Eagle Evan Mathis. Mathis was released by the Eagles earlier this offseason, but is considered one of the league’s best interior offensive lineman. In the 2014 season, despite playing just 608 snaps on offense, the former third-round pick from 2005 ranked as the NFL’s best guard, according to Pro Football Focus, who ranked Mathis no. 1 at his position in 2011, 2012, and 2013 as well. He would be a fantastic pick-up for the Seattle Seahawks’ struggling offensive line.
At this time, it is unknown who the other interested parties are, but it is not surprising given Mathis’ impressive body of work. According to Pro Football Rumors, the New York Giants had not closed the door on a deal involving Mathis. However, they had concerns regarding his price tag.
Evan’s price may cause trouble for the Seattle Seahawks as well. His base salary last season was $5.5 million. If the Seattle Seahawks were to sign Mathis for $6 million, then they would have to cut a player, considering the team will have to restructure Kam Chancellor’s contract at some point before the season begins. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Chancellor will not rejoin the Seattle Seahawks without a new deal. The Seattle Seahawks would be one of the few teams to give Mathis this kind of money, since their offensive line isn’t exactly set at this time.
The Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams, and New England Patriots were among the teams said to have varying interest in Mathis before he was cut. While the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals have said they will not make a play for Mathis, Mathis’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said earlier this offseason that he had heard from at least six teams regarding his client, per Pro Football Rumors.
Evan Mathis is unlikely to reach an agreement with a team before Saturday’s visit with the Seattle Seahawks, and is planning to go through with his visit, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Do you think the Seattle Seahawks will make a transaction in order to acquire Evan Mathis? If not, what team do you see picking up the star offensive lineman? Finally, how do you think the Seattle Seahawks will fare in the upcoming season, after losing in the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots in 2014?
[Image Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images]
