Contract Issues with Jordan Matthews Loom

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Howie Roseman has a history of identifying core players and extending them early. That hasn't happened with Jordan Matthews and it's reportedly weighing on the young hideout's mind, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Matthews is entering the final year of his rookie deal and missed most of the spring with knee tendinitis, which some in the organization believe is more of a blue flu.

Whether Matthews could have practiced more but chose to be cautious because of his contract issues is debatable but Doug Pederson had hoped to move the Vanderbilt product around the offense more last season before quickly surmising he was better suited in the slot only.

Generally, Pederson prefers more well-rounded receivers who can also play the X and Z positions to provide more formational flexibility.

Like most players, Matthews would prefer not to be a lame duck and his productivity through his first three seasons can't be denied despite the limitations.

The Eagles, though, have added significant talent at WR in free agents Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, as well as draft picks Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson. Even undrafted rookie Greg Ward has opened eyes with an excellent spring that has continued in the early days of training camp.

And Matthews might be the odd man out come 2018.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen