5 Ways Chip Kelly Hurt Philadelphia Eagles

By Mike Gibson

5 Ways Chip Kelly Hurt Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly, Philadelphia Eagles, — The great Chip Kelly experiment started with a lot of hope because he came to the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive guru with pieces like LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson and Zach Ertz already in place. With those weapons and with Kelly’s mind, the Eagles could have lit up scoreboards on a weekly basis. It did not happen, and these five Kelly decisions set the franchise back for years to come.

5. Botched Potential Marcus Mariota Trade

Chip Kelly, Marcus Mariota,

5. Botched Potential Marcus Mariota Trade

Chip Kelly, Marcus Mariota, — The whole Sam Bradford scenario was set up to trade him and a pick for Marcus Mariota, who eventually became the No. 2 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. The package wasn’t enough to entice the Titans, and the Eagles wound up with an overpriced, oft-injured, immobile quarterback who probably is not part of their future. Plus, the second-round pick they tossed in for Bradford was wasted.

4. Cut DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins,

4. Cut DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins, — One of the tenants of Kelly’s read-option offense is a reliable deep threat on the edge to open up plays underneath. By cutting Jackson and getting nothing in return, it forced the Eagles to use a No. 2 pick on slot receiver Jordan Matthews, who is not a reliable deep threat. They could have used that second pick on an area of need, like the offensive line.

3. Let Jeremy Maclin Walk

Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs,

3. Let Jeremy Maclin Walk

Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs, — Instead of working out a deal with the talented wide receiver, Kelly let Maclin walk all the way to Kansas City, where he has been a reliable wide receiver for former Eagles coach Andy Reid. A reliable wide receiver is something the Eagles do not have now. Instead of giving DeMarco Murray big money, a little extra money for Maclin would have gone a long way.

2. Robbed on LeSean McCoy Deal

LeSean McCoy, Kiko Alonzo,

2. Robbed on LeSean McCoy Deal

LeSean McCoy, Kiko Alonzo, — Because of Kelly’s affinity for former Oregon players, he didn't think it through when the Buffalo Bills offered Kiko Alonso for LeSean McCoy. McCoy was the perfect back for the Eagles, who were then forced to sign DeMarco Murray, whose north-south style did not fit Kelly's east-west run game.

1. Wasted First-Round Draft Choice

Marcus Smith, Philadelphia Eagles,

1. Wasted First-Round Draft Choice

Marcus Smith, Philadelphia Eagles, — A minimum requirement for a NFL first-round draft choice should be someone who projects as an immediate starter. Two years ago, Kelly drafted linebacker Marcus Smith from Louisville because he liked his “long arms." Wasting a first-round pick alone sets a franchise back at least a year, maybe more, and NFL teams cannot afford to whiff on one.

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Philadelphia Eagles

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