JT Volpe
Reports indicate that the Kenny Stills free agency market is heating up, and its likely that the Miami Dolphins free agent wideout could command nearly $12MM annually. Stills, a blazing fast outside threat with decent hands, was drafted by the Saints in the 5th round in 2013, and spent two years in NOLA before getting shipped to Miami for a 3rd round pick and linebacker Dennel Ellerbe. Now the 24 year old former Sooner will be entering free agency for the first time in his career. The Eagles have been heavily reported contenders in the Stills sweepstakes, but what could the Stills free agency mean for the future of another receiver already wearing midnight green?
Stills is a decent player, but two years ago when he was traded from New Orleans to the Phins, I don't think anyone would have guessed he'd soon be a top flight free agent receiver looking for more than $10MM a year. In fact Stills is really only looking at this kind of contract because outlandish extension Tavon Austin inked in St. Louis last August. The Rams didn't even let Austin test the market before giving him $10.5MM a year, which is insane for a guy who's been nothing special in the NFL in his four seasons.
Stills is a decent player, but two years ago when he was traded from New Orleans to the Phins, I don't think anyone would have guessed he'd soon be a top flight free agent receiver looking for more than $10MM a year. In fact Stills is really only looking at this kind of contract because outlandish extension Tavon Austin inked in St. Louis last August. The Rams didn't even let Austin test the market before giving him $10.5MM a year, which is insane for a guy who's been nothing special in the NFL in his four seasons.
As bizarre as Austin's contract is, it sets the market going forward, and that means its time for guys like Kenny Stills, the Rams' Kenny Britt, and the Bears' Alshon Jeffery to cash in while they can. The Eagles currently have just under $10MM in cap space according to Over The Cap, so to even think about bringing in Stills, they would need to part ways with at least one of Jason Kelce, Mychal Kendricks, Connor Barwin, or Ryan Mathews. With that being said, the Eagles also desperately need a weapon to arm young quarterback Carson Wentz with going forward, and if players like Corey Davis and Mike Williams aren't on the board when the Eagles draft at 14 or 15 (coin toss pending), they may be forced to make a splash in free agency.
But outside of just this season, and regardless of whether or not Stills, Britt, Jeffery, or former Eagles DeSean Jackson find a home in Philadelphia this offseason, the ripple effects will reach the Eagles front office one way or another, most notably when Jordan Matthews becomes a free agent at the end of next season (or at the end of the 2018 season, should the Eagles front office decide to exercise the fifth year option of his rookie contract). Matthews has gotten mixed reviews from Eagles fans through his first three seasons, showing flashes of very high level play, but also struggling with drops and not being capable of lining up on the outside. But he has been the best receiver on the roster since Jeremy Maclin reunited with Andy Reid in Kansas City in the 2015 offseason. He also, statistically, compares very closely to Kenny Stills.
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| Stats courtesy of Google |
Depending on the proceedings of Stills' negotiations, and on Matthews' final season as an Eagle, Howie Roseman could easily find himself having to pay north of $11M to retain the franchise's 2014 second round draft choice. The same front office wouldn't pay a similar price to Jeremy Maclin who had an even better season in his contract year than Matthews has ever had. Matthews by all accounts has enjoyed his time in Philadelphia, has a good relationship with Wentz and would like to remain an Eagle. But money talks, and these days free agent wideouts are getting huge paydays, cashing checks that Roseman might be hesitant to sign. Also, it is worth noting that the Eagles have a history of extending homegrown players a year or two before they reach free agency when the team sees them in their future. Look no further than the extensions recently given to players like Zach Ertz, Vinny Curry, Mychal Kendricks, Malcolm Jenkins, Fletcher Cox and Lane Johnson. Should the Eagles follow a similar path with Matthews, they could work on an extension this offseason. But with limited cap room and quite a few holes to fill, it would be tough to extend Matthews without clearing some cap for the 2018 season and beyond (his 2017 cap hit will remain at $1,574,767 regardless). Not to mention, if the Eagles are serious about committing to Kenny Stills with big money, a similar contract extension for Jordan Matthews would have them paying over $20MM in cap money to two players who've never had a 1000 yard season between them. It's difficult to imagine the Eagles making such commitments to one position when they also have to look at re-signing Bennie Logan this offseason. If the Eagles sign any of the marquee wide receivers on the market, or if the Stills contract climbs north of $12.5 or $13MM, the Eagles may have to prepare for the departure of Matthews and look to replace him going forward.
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