Seattle Seahawks Rumors: Evan Mathis, All-Pro Offensive Lineman, Close To Contract With Seahawks?
Seattle Seahawks rumors about Evan Mathis continue to entice fans. Mathis met with the Seahawks’ front office over the weekend, putting in what was called a “good visit” with the team. A report from the Seattle Times states that the team is trying to convince the 33-year-old, Pro Bowl offensive lineman that the Seahawks would be a good fit. Unfortunately, the two sides didn’t agree on a contract, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Mathis won’t be playing in Seattle this year.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Mathis was released by the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the NFL offseason. The All Pro wanted a raise from his team, but the Eagles weren’t willing to budge on the $5.5 million he was set to make in the 2015 NFL season. Rather than try to foster negotiations about a raise, the Eagles simply cut him loose. That means he can now freely sign with any other team in the league.
One troublesome fact in these Seattle Seahawks rumors is that the team only has about $4.95 million in salary cap space. New contracts and raises for the 2015 NFL season has put the team very close to having no money left to sign free agents. What it also means is that if Evan Mathis wants to play for Seattle, he is going to have to take a big pay cut to make it happen. That makes a signing difficult to expect for 12s right now.
A key selling point for the Seahawks is that Mathis would be joining a team primed to make another run at the Super Bowl. He would have a great shot at winning a championship in Seattle, possibly increasing his value even further during for a new contract next offseason. If he wants to play in the Super Bowl, this might be his best chance at doing it. From his point of view, though, this could also be one last opportunity at a big day that he would need to pass up to play in Seattle.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has been cautious when speaking about Evan Mathis to the press, but he certainly knows how valuable this potential signing could be to his team. Giving up Max Unger for Jimmy Graham hurt the offensive line, but it also brought in a huge weapon for Russell Wilson over the middle of the field. Adding an equally talented lineman to replace Unger would have the team really coming out ahead this offseason.
Seattle Seahawks rumors about the left guard position have been coming up all through training camp as the team tries to find someone to protect Wilson. Mathis could be that man if he would just agree to take a small pay cut for one season.
[Image Source: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images]
