NFL Free Agency: Jeremy Maclin Talks About Staying with the Eagles

Dec 9, 2012; Tampa FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) is fielding questions from reporters after making the winning catch to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-21 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Maclin has been a hot name amongst Chiefs fans this winter as a potential free agent target. There are those who think he could hit free agency due to his ACL injury, the pending free agency of Riley Cooper, and Philadelphia’s need to use their cap space to improve their defense.

However, in a new piece from Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Maclin and the Eagles are not counting out a return to the team.

"“I’ve always stated, this is where I want to be. The Eagles have stated the same thing,” Maclin said Saturday morning at the NovaCare Complex before the Philadelphia Soul tryouts. “We’ll continue to get on the same page with all that and get something done.”…“I wouldn’t say it would be a nonstarter that we couldn’t have both [Maclin and Cooper] back,” [Eagles general manager Howie] Roseman said after the season. “Certainly, the door is open to having both.”"

There are a few things to consider here with this report. First, there is not much either Maclin or Robinson can say right now other than what was said in this article. Maclin cannot officially talk to other teams until March 11, when free agents begins, so it makes sense to keep the door open between now and then just in case.

Second, the wide receiver market is flooded this year between free agency and the draft. Aside from Cooper and Maclin, Eric Decker, Golden Tate, Hakeeem Nicks, Julian Edelman, and James Jones are all expected to hit the open market. Add in the crazy deep draft class, and it is expected to be a buyers market. This market would make it difficult to imagine Philadelphia would want to sign a deal before free agency begins when Maclin’s value will drop.

This doesn’t mean Maclin won’t re-sign with Philadelphia at some point, but the motivation to do it before March 11 would seem low.

Kansas City could use a market which includes Maclin. The more receivers who flood the market, the better it is for the cap-strapped Chiefs. Whether it is because it reduces the cost of free agents or because it means there are fewer teams looking to draft a wide receiver, Maclin hitting free agency helps KC.

And that’s just Maclin hitting the market. The Chiefs could use Maclin as a receiver opposite of Dwayne Bowe. The fit makes sense given Maclin’s relationship with Andy Reid and his offense as well the Chiefs’ need for receiver help.

What do you think? Will Maclin end up hitting free agency or will Philadelphia work out a deal for him? Should the Chiefs even bother trying to sign him?