The 33-year-old wanted a new deal that had performance-based incentives that would allow him to become the one of the top five-paid guards in the NFL, sources close to the situation said. He is currently around the 12th or 13th.
The Eagles offered such a contract last January, one that potentially would have increased his salary $1 million a year. But Mathis didn't accept the offer at the time and when his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, attempted to re-open negotiations this offseason, he was told that deal was no longer on the table, per sources.
Former general manager Howie Roseman was responsible for the initial offer. But Chip Kelly was given full control over football operations in January and Rosenhaus was told that the old offer had nothing to do with the new regime.
Details of the Sept. offer were reported on Tuesday and likely weren't looked upon favorably by Kelly and the Eagles. Two days later, Mathis is out and a free agent looking for a new team. Rosenhaus had permission to seek a trade that last two offseasons, but Kelly said during last month during the draft that the Eagles had never received any offers.
But teams were interested, including one that engaged in talks before the draft only to change their plans after the first round, sources said.
The Eagles have been practicing with 30-year-old Allen Barbre at Mathis' left guard spot this spring. Barbre was supposed to replace the released Todd Herremans at right guard. Matt Tobin, Andrew Gardner and Dennis Kelly have been rotating at right guard.
The Eagles likely balked at reworking Mathis' deal because of his age (he'll be 34 in November). He also missed seven games last season because of a knee sprain. But he returned for the final eight games and performed at a level that helped him earn his second straight Pro Bowl nod. Mathis didn't block perhaps as well as he had in his previous three seasons with the Eagles, though.
But he always been one of the more physically gifted players on the roster. Mathis signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract in March, 2012. He was slated to earn $5.5 million this season and $6 million next season. It remains to be seen if he'll get anywhere near those numbers on the open market, although teams like the Dolphins are in need of interior line help.