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Eagles are not far off from a deal with Jeremy Maclin

jeremy maclinThe Philadelphia Eagles want Jeremy Maclin back and according to Jeff McClane of Philly.com the team is not that far off from a deal.  McClane reports that Maclin wants to be in Philly and the Eagles want his services.  The thing now is just getting the two to agree on terms.  McClane also reports that he is looking for a deal that is in the 9.5 to 10 million dollar range which is cheaper than what Randall Cobb is asking (around 9 million a year).
Maclin should be the No. 1 priority for the Eagles before free agency starts on March 10. They lose him and they’re really going to have to pay if they want to sign a free agent of comparable skill — if there is one remaining. It shouldn’t come to that. Maclin wants to stay, the Eagles want him, and last I heard they weren’t significantly far apart. He should end up with a contract somewhere in the $9.5-$10 million a year range with most of around $20 million guaranteed in the first two years. If a deal can’t be struck by Monday afternoon, the Eagles will have to decide whether or not to use the franchise tag ($12.8 million). It’s unlikely the Eagles will want to pay Maclin that much over one season. He rolled the dice signing a one-year contract and delivered a career season (85 catches for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns) in 2014, but Maclin is still viewed around the league as just a smidge below the elite set of receivers. Kelly probably places more worth on Maclin because he knows the intangibles (full effort, team leader, high character) he brings to the table, but the Eagles would probably only use the tag to buy time and keep Maclin off the market.
I feel that the Eagles need to sign Maclin to a long term deal. Last year he exploded with DeSean Jackson gone, and this would make the most sense, whether the team has Mariota or Foles at quarterback.  The team will definitely need a receiver like Maclin who can take the top of an defense.

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