Ryan Mathews passed a physical today. And, as expected, the Eagles released him. This is a move that’s been chugging down the tracks for months. By waiting until he was medically cleared, Philadelphia avoided having to pay an injury settlement.
Now is there anybody who wants to bring on Mathews? He’s a former first-round pick, but he’s 29 years old and coming off a neck surgery. Mathews has long been plagued by injuries, and the neck surgery is particularly worrying for a running back.
On the other hand, Mathews has some ability. He ran for 661 yards last year, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. In 2015, he outplayed DeMarco Murray, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt while finishing with 539 yards (that was with Chip Kelly running the Eagles).
Mathews ran for 1,255 yards in 2013 for the Chargers but played in only six games in in 2014.
At 220 pounds, Mathews has some power. He also has some elusiveness and pass-catching ability. I can’t promise that he’ll get back in the league, but I think there are a number of teams that are considering bringing him in for a look – see what kind of condition he’s in (whether he still has a burning desire to play).
For me, that group would include the Ravens, Browns and Rams for sure. Other teams don’t look as likely but couldn’t be ruled out: Bills, Jets, Colts, Kansas City, Chargers, Giants, Washington and Tampa Bay. (With the Bucs, if they decide to take Doug Martin’s salary off the books, Mathews would be a logical replacement – they have other running backs, but none that are difference makers.)
—Ian Allan