Doubtful Eagles Make Run at Jamaal Charles

For those fans clamoring for the Philadelphia Eagles to make a big-time splash in free agency, that opportunity might not exist.

While there will be some interesting names that will be available to them when the free agent period opens next week, they are near the bottom of the league in terms of money to spend.

One name is former Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, the two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl running back was released on Wednesday. Charles has battled knee multiple knee injuries, tearing his left ACL in 2011 and his right ACL in 2015.

So, with the Eagles looking for some more fire-power on the offensive-side of the ball, should the Eagles should make a run at Charles?

John McMullen, 973ESPN.com Eagles Insider, says not quite.

Joining The Sports Bash on Thursday, McMullen said he’d be surprised if the Eagles made a move for the ageing running back, even though he has a history with head coach Doug Pederson.

“Doug does have a history with him, but that was a different time, when he was one of the top running backs in football," McMullen said. "But that's no longer the case."

McMullen said, though the thought of Charles is somewhat enticing to Pederson, Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman didn't really sound like he was going to go down that road.

"I've got history with him in Kansas City for three years," Pederson said.  "I think he's a tremendous back, it's something we'll evaluate now.  We'll grade him just like we do every free agent and every person that's released and see how he fits into our offense."

Meanwhile, Roseman said the team would not address a need unless it make sense from a long-term perspective.  He added that they wanted to minimize their risks, not wanting to sign a high-priced free-agent if they didn't think the value was there.

Running back is an area where the Eagles might look to upgrade with Darren Sproles still around for one more season and the team drafted Wendell Smallwood in the fifth round of last year’s NFL Draft. The wild card is Ryan Mathews, who is coming off a very serious neck injury and is entering the final year of his contract, where he is set to make $4 million in base salary.

Not to mention, all indications point to a strong draft class again this year at the running back position, and the Eagles could go that route, including with their first round pick.