Philadelphia Eagles NFL 2015 news: Veteran guard Evan Mathis released

Wikipedia

Two-time Pro Bowler guard Evan Mathis who missed the Philadelphia Eagles' organized team activities will no longer be required to join the team's minicamp next week after getting released Friday ending a long time contract dispute between both sides.

Mathis was unhappy with his five-year, $25 million pact with the Eagles which was inked back in 2012.

ESPN reported that for the past two years, the veteran and his agent Drew Rosenhaus were given permission to look for a team willing to trade for him but according to Eagles head coach Chip Kelly they received no offers.

"Evan's been available to trade for two years now and we've never had an offer for him. That's through his agent and him," Kelly stated.

"They've asked if he could renegotiate a contract and see what he could get and we've obliged him with that, but we've never had an offer," he added.

Even before the announcement came out, Mathis already tweeted "Thanks for the memories Philly."

Unfortunately, Mathis will have a hard time looking for a team since rosters are set and they no longer have that ability in their salary caps, ESPN also reported.

Philadelphia will have a hard time replacing Mathis as he is considered as one of the top guards in the NFL and has led the team's offense with 3,675 snaps in the past four seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

NFL.com reported that guard Matt Tobin will likely be the Eagles' replacement for the veteran Mathis.

The 25-year-old started in seven games last season as guard and is also a likely replacement for Todd Herremans at right guard.

Herremans was also one of the Eagles' snap leaders for the past few seasons but was released last March and later signed a one-year pact with the Indianapolis Colts.

Offensive tackles Andrew Gardner and Dennis Kelly are also considered as candidates to replace Mathis.