How Can Philadelphia Eagles Replace Evan Mathis' Production in 2015?

In yet another surprising offseason move, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has decided to part ways with arguably the top all-around guard in the National Football League.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news:

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Eagles released Evan Mathis, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 11, 2015"

This came after a contract dispute between Evan Mathis and the Eagles in which Kelly opted not to budge, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer:

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Evan Mathis had hoped #Eagles would offer deal from Sept. that could increase salary $1M/year, as @ProFootballTalk said. New regime said no.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) June 9, 2015"

McLane suggested Mathis had wanted a deal that would make him one of the game's five highest-paid guards. The Eagles had reportedly offered that deal to Mathis last year, but he didn't accept the offer at the time and has now been told the deal is no longer available.

CSNPhilly.com's John Clark notes that Kelly seems to have the support of the Eagles—at least All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters:

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Jason Peters says he considers Allen Barbre starter at LG, says he wont really miss Evan Mathis if he's not here pic.twitter.com/DxKu7NvY7p

— John Clark CSN (@JClarkCSN) June 9, 2015"

Per CSNPhilly.com's Reuben Frank, Eagles players were becoming increasingly frustrated with Mathis' absence from voluntary spring OTAs.

You can now add Mathis' name to the list of Pro Bowl offensive players Kelly has jettisoned in the past two offseasons.

Player	Position	Result
Nick Foles	Quarterback	Traded to St. Louis
LeSean McCoy	Running Back	Traded to Buffalo
DeSean Jackson	Wide Receiver	Released
Jeremy Maclin	Wide Receiver	Left in Free Agency (KC)
Evan Mathis	Offensive Guard	Released

It's disappointing that Kelly couldn't so much as acquire a draft pick for Mathis, and now this places an inordinate amount of pressure on both the system and the young players to fill in admirably.

To say Kelly doesn't care what others think of his decisions is an understatement.

In the past several months, Kelly has gained full power of the Eagles' personnel moves and then proceeded to sign Tim Tebow, swap Foles for Bradford, rid himself of the franchise's all-time leading rusher and allow another young Pro Bowl wide receiver to leave.

"

Just this offseason, Chip has jettisoned players who started 558 games in an Eagles uniform.

— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) June 11, 2015"

It's also remarkable that the Eagles didn't draft a single offensive lineman—for the second straight year. In fact, since taking right tackle Lane Johnson with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, Kelly hasn't so much as drafted one lineman.

Don't forget, with veteran Todd Herremans released, there's an opening at both the left and right guard spots, and 33-year-old tackle Peters—entering his 12th NFL season—can't play forever.

It's likely the rest of the OTAs, training camp and preseason contests will allow for a battle between Allen Barbre, Matt Tobin and Andrew Gardner for the two starting guard spots.

"

Look for Allen Barbre to start at LG. Matt Tobin, Andrew Gardner, and Dennis Kelly to compete at right guard. Hard to understand the move

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) June 11, 2015"

The fact that Kelly signed Barbre to a three-year deal back in 2014 suggests he has confidence in him as a starter at one of the spots. Barbre missed all of last season with an ankle injury, but he's a top-notch athlete who should be an ideal fit for Kelly's zone-blocking scheme.

He's currently been filling in as the starter in OTAs next to Peters. Barbre has filled in very well when he's played, which is good news for the Eagles.

"

The #Eagles went 6-2 without Evan Mathis in 2014, let's stop acting like this is the end of the world. R-E-L-A-X.

— Anthony DiBona (@Anthony_DiBona) June 11, 2015"

But he's no Mathis, who has flat-out dominated since joining the Eagles in 2011. He was an under-the-radar signing of the memorable Dream Team offseason spending splurge, especially since he wasn't highly regarded when Andy Reid grabbed him in free agency. Mathis won a starting spot in his first year in Philadelphia and hasn't looked back since.

"

Evan Mathis was our top graded OG from 2011-13, and was 2nd last year in just 9 games. Best OG in the game now available. #OnYourMarks

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) June 11, 2015"

It's safe to say that no matter whom the Eagles turn to in replacing Mathis, that player will have big shoes to fill.

At right guard, it will likely be a camp competition to see who emerges as starter.

Because he has been playing with the first team so far, let's say Tobin emerges as the starter at right guard. The Eagles won't exactly be entering the season with a lot of continuity at the offensive line positions, as noted by Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempski:

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Eagles OL cohesion without Evan Mathis, as currently constructed: pic.twitter.com/cOq4OgiG7P

— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) June 11, 2015"

In that case, Gardner and either Julian Vandervelde or Dennis Kelly would provide depth.

That's not bad, but it would be a lot better with Gardner, Tobin and Vandervelde/Kelly providing depth to a line that started Mathis on the left side and Barbre on the right.

Fortunately, the Eagles are very talented at both tackle positions and center. Peters is arguably the best left tackle in the business, and the same goes for Johnson on the right side. Kelce—when he's healthy—is a tremendous fit at center because of his quickness and athleticism in getting to the second level.

If Barbre and Tobin/Gardner can produce as starters at the two guard spots, all will be forgiven.

But if guard becomes a season-long problem, it will be easy to wonder why Kelly felt it was worth flat-out releasing the game's best guard.