Philadelphia Eagles rumor mill: A Jeremy Maclin return?
Is there any possibility the Philadelphia Eagles would entertain the idea of bringing Jeremy Maclin back?
One of the final memories of Jeremy Maclin in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey was watching him running down the field for 58 yards in 2014 against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately, most of our memories of that season, following that game, weren’t as great.
Despite the fact that 33-10 victory gave the Eagles a 9-3 record and control of the NFC East, Philly dropped three straight games (including one at home to those same Cowboys) before upending the New York Giants in the season finale. Despite a 10-6 record, the Eagles failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Maclin finished the season with 85 receptions for 1,318 receiving yards and ten touchdowns (he led the team in those categories), but then-head coach Chip Kelly allowed him to walk in free agency. This was one year after he cut DeSean Jackson prior to the season.
Is there truly the possibility of a Maclin return?
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One thing Kelly actually did right was draft (well sort of). Though there were misses, Kelly did add several pieces to what would become a Super Bowl-winning roster. Tight end Zach Ertz, wide receiver Nelson Agholor (originally seen as a first round failure) and right tackle Lane Johnson were all added by the former Eagles coach. This past off-season, the Eagles added Alshon Jeffery via free agency.
Based on Maclin’s history with the team, rumors are swirling and will continue to swirl about a reunion. The same thing happened with both LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson, but let’s settle this now. Bringing Maclin back wouldn’t be a good idea.
The former first-round pick turns 30 in May, and there hasn’t been any indication that he has a whole lot left. A two-year tour with the Kansas City Chiefs reunited him with his former coach, Andy Reid, but that ended on June 2nd, 2017, after Maclin struggled through a season where he was hampered by a torn groin.
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He, then, went to the Baltimore Ravens where he finished with a career-low 40 receptions and 440 yards. He reached the end-zone three times, but the writing was on the wall then and it appears to remain there now.
It really doesn’t seem as though he has a whole lot left.