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The 5 Biggest Philadelphia Eagles Rumors Heading Into January

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By @papreps

5 Biggest Philadelphia Eagles’ Rumors of 2015

Chip Kelly, Marcus Mariota, Philadelphia Eagles,
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Despite what it looked like near the end of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles are really not that far away from contending for a NFC title. The team was 9-3 before an implosion caused largely by being forced to play a backup quarterback. With strong lines on both offense and defense, they need only to shore up the secondary to return to contention. Here are the five biggest rumors surrounding the team heading into January.

5. Eagles Will Not Bid for Trent Cole

Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles,
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5. Eagles Will Not Bid for Trent Cole

Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles,
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The Eagles’ long-standing policy has been to jettison veterans once they’ve reached 30 and Cole has passed that milestone. Plus, the Eagles have talented rush ends like Vinny Curry and Brandon Graham who have much more upside and need to be locked up.

4. LeSean McCoy Could Be Used as Trade Bait

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles,
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4. LeSean McCoy Could Be Used as Trade Bait

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles,
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McCoy is set to make $9.75 million next season and that is a price that may be too rich for the Eagles’ taste, especially since both Darren Sproles and Chris Polk are in the fold for significantly less money. The Eagles want to take a much longer look at Polk, who has enough power to have been used as a goal-line specialty back and enough speed to break a kickoff return for a touchdown -- two things he accomplished this season.

3. Eagles Will Sign Two Free Agent DBs

Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots,
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3. Eagles Will Sign Two Free Agent DBs

Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots,
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The Eagles need a dependable safety and an even more dependable cornerback after Nate Allen and Bradley Fletcher wore out their welcome during a 1-3 late-season collapse. Fortunately, they are enough under the salary cap that they could make a play for both New England safety Devin McCourty and/or teammate Darrelle Revis. The Eagles also figure to target Seattle’s No. 2 cornerback, Byron Maxwell.

2. Eagles’ Could Be Looking for a New OC

Pat Shurmur, Philadelphia Eagles,
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2. Eagles’ Could Be Looking for a New OC

Pat Shurmur, Philadelphia Eagles,
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There are at least four NFL head coaching jobs available and not a whole lot of attractive candidates, so Eagles’ offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could be a hot commodity. Not only does Shurmur have NFL head coaching experience, he has memorized the up-tempo offense Kelly brought with him from Oregon and that kind of innovation has to be appealing. If Shurmur goes, look for Kelly to tab Oregon OC Scott Frost.

1. Eagles Will Make a Play for Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota, Oregon,
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1. Eagles Will Make a Play for Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota, Oregon,
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Chip Kelly’s comment “you should buy stock in that kid” about Marcus Mariota after he won the Heisman was a telling one. Kelly wants to buy and the price -- reportedly up to three No. 1 draft picks -- probably won’t be steep enough for Kelly, who holds leverage with management concerned that he could leave for the next hot college job if he doesn't get his way. He might be able to do it for, say, two No. 1s, Nick Foles and McCoy.

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