When there’s smoke there tends to be fire, but not so much on the NFL trade front.
After reports surfaced that the Philadelphia Eagles made Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis available, and the Miami Dolphins did the same with Mike Wallace, both players now appear to be staying put.
Mathis, a first-team All Pro selection in 2013 at right guard, reportedly sought a raise on his $5 million salary this coming season, and the 32-year-old apparently felt snubbed when fellow Eagles linemen Jason Peters and Jason Kelce received contract extensions earlier in the offseason.
The Eagles are seeking a third-round pick in exchange for Mathis, according to reports, but no team was willing to pay that ransom for an aging player. The Dolphins showed interest in Mathis, but not at that cost. He would have needed to agreed to a restructured deal in order to facilitate a trade, and Miami seemed reluctant to part ways with a draft pick in the first four rounds when offensive linemen talent is abundant in this year’s draft class.
Think that was much ado about nothing. He’s likely going nowhere. RT @eastwood5425: Now that that’s over any word on Mathis?
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 2, 2014
The case of Wallace didn’t even get as far as teams showing interest in the speedster.
During the NFL’s owner meetings in Orlando, a CBS Sports report indicated the Dolphins had renewed their attempts to trade Wallace. Teams were reportedly doing their homework on the wide out, but the $15 million base salary he’s due in 2014 complicated the matter.
Soon after, Miami Herald columnist Armando Salguero disputed CBS Sports’ claim and indicated that the Dolphins had not spoken to a single team about Wallace before or during the owner’s meetings.
Salguero’s report echoes that of fellow Herald reporter Barry Jackson, who reported the Dolphins have “vehemently denied” Wallace is available.
