Eagles

Jeremy Maclin says He Wanted to be the Best Receiver in Eagles History, but the Chiefs Just Wanted Him More

By Jim Adair

Published: Sep 10th, 2015 · 11:39 AM EDT

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Of all of the players who were Eagles last year but aren’t this year, Jeremy Maclin is probably the quietest. Many have spoken out about being former Eagles and Chip Kelly, while Maclin has remained mum on the topic. But in yesterday’s Kansas City Star, Maclin spoke of his former team and former coach with a little less vitriol than others have mustered. Instead of being mad about something, Maclin mostly seems a little bummed:

“It was tough, man; I had established a lot of relationships there and had become very comfortable up there. I kind of wanted to be remembered as being the greatest receiver ever to play there.”

But his guardian, Jeff Parres, isn’t as kind. “The bottom line is I think they tried to take advantage of his good nature,” Parres told the Star. “They knew he wanted to stay and there was really no reason they didn’t want him to stay, and they tried to take advantage of him.” Parres specifically has an issue with the post-deal perception that Maclin left for more money in Kansas City. According to the Star, in the midst of negotiations, “the Eagles called and countered by shifting money from year three of their offer to year two — which contrary to Kelly and published reports made it close enough to the same deal Maclin was offered with the Chiefs that Maclin was ready to stay.” But Andy Reid called him directly and convinced Maclin that he was more wanted with Big Red.

I can just imagine Stephen A. now: “I do not KNOW Chip Kelly. I have said this many times, Skip. And I do not WANT to know him. But how can you not GO OUT OF YOUR WAY to bring Jeremy Maclin back [incredibly long pause] but RILEY COOPER is still on your team. EXPLAIN THAT to ME SKIP. I’m not saying he’s racist, I’m JUST saying.”