Evan Mathis missing OTAs no big deal … yet

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Yes, as the saying goes, NFL offseason workouts are “voluntary” in name only, and I’m sure the Philadelphia Eagles would prefer Evan Mathis be in attendance at OTAs. Still, the fact that the All-Pro offensive guard isn’t there, as reported by Comcast SportsNet’s Derrick Gunn, hasn’t been there and has given no indication of when he plans to get there doesn’t really seem like a major issue.

Is there any doubt that Mathis is going to be in shape when he finally reports to the NovaCare Complex? Is there any question about the two-time Pro Bowler’s ability to pick up right where he left off at left guard upon his return?

Is there any reason to believe Mathis will not arrive in Philadelphia by the time the terminology changes from “voluntary” to “mandatory?”

I suppose Mathis could opt to hold out, but it might not make much sense, not if his absence is all about the Benjamins, per reports. At this point, it would seem he only stands to lose more money if he doesn’t come in eventually, as no doubt the Eagles would fine him for every mandatory workday of he misses.

Chip Kelly already drew the battle lines after the draft, the head coach responding to questions about Mathis’ availability in trades in the most hostile manner possible, stating the Eagles haven’t had an offer in two years. Of course, sometimes the truth hurts, and when you’re 33 years old in the NFL and scheduled to earn $11.5 million in base salary over the next two seasons, teams typically aren’t lining up to pay you more.

Mathis’ only apparent leverage in a holdout would be to no-show until the Eagles decided to release him or essentially give him away, which may or may not ever happen. Even if it did, what are the odds he would wind up making more money when everything was said and done?

My guess is not very good. Mathis might wind up with more guaranteed cash if he was on the open market, but he already commands one of the highest salaries in the league at his position. His $5.5 million base salary in 2015 is tied for third among all guards, according to Spotrac, just $1.275 million back of Logan Mankins for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mathis’ ’16 base of $6 million is currently fifth, should he see it.

Philadelphia could release Mathis next year for a minimal cap hit of $1 million if he’s no longer worth the trouble or the club finds a suitable replacement.

No doubt, that has a lot to do with Mathis’ unhappiness over his contract, too, and when it comes to the lack of long-term security for one of the better players in the league, he has a legitimate gripe there. However, that’s also just another reality of being an aging athlete at a position often viewed as replaceable by many around the NFL.

Mathis’ frustration with the arrangement is understandable to a degree. The fact that Kelly fired shots, intentionally or otherwise, may not have helped the situation, either, nor the very public nature with which Mathis has been shopped the past two offseasons.

Yet it’s difficult to view missing voluntary OTAs as a big issue now, nor something that’s going to become a bigger issue later. Perhaps Mathis isn’t merely showing his displeasure or bluffing, and he does intend to launch a holdout into the summer. It just doesn’t seem incredibly likely due the appearance he stands to lose far more than he would gain.

I suppose we’ll find out exactly how serious Mathis is when the Eagles hold open a mandatory minicamp on June 16. So far, he hasn’t commented, but Mathis would be making a big statement—and taking a huge risk—if he’s still a no-show three weeks from now.

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