Evan Mathis Talks Super Bowl, Chip Kelly, and Free Agency

Evan Mathis talks about winning Super Bowl 50, Chip Kelly, free agency, and more.

The most interesting man in the NFL, Evan Mathis, had one of the most interesting off-seasons in 2015.

Mathis was coming off of yet another year in Philadelphia where he played great and was a key part of their offense. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2011-2014 and during those times, Pro Football Focus had him ranked as the best guard for three straight years (2011-2013) and then the second-best guard in 2014.

There was no questioning his ability, and you certainly couldn’t question the former Alabama Crimson Tide’s work ethic.

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Mathis was not the two-time Pro Bowl player and 2013 All-Pro he was before he was in Philadelphia, but instead he was someone who bounced around from team to team and struggled to find that perfect fit.

He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, but was only there from 2005-2007, starting just 15 games in that timespan, before he landed with the Miami Dolphins. Mathis signed with the Dolphins in 2008 but was released mid-season without starting a single game. He did sign with the Bengals in 2008, but did not register a start. However, in 2009, Mathis started nine games for the Bengals…then wouldn’t start a game in 2010, so he had to go looking for another team.

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That team was the Eagles, and Mathis found the perfect fit.

In 2011, Mathis started 15 games for the Birds and played exceptionally well. The Eagles had only signed him to a one-year deal, but after his 2011 season they signed him to a five-year deal.

He would go on to start 16 games in both 2012 and 2013, and once again show that he was the best guard in football. In 2014, Mathis battled through some injuries, but still managed to start nine games and show his dominance at the left guard position.

However, former Eagles coach, Chip Kelly, made his short stay in Philadelphia almost like a dictatorship. Part of that dictatorship was deciding that their All-Pro, Pro Bowl, and arguably best left guard in football was not worth the contract they signed him for. Now, Mathis was on the older side, he was 33-years old at the time, but he resembled fine wine as he got better and better with time.

“Chip cut 69, went 6-9 and 69 won a Super Bowl.” –Evan Mathis

Kelly did not agree and decided to release Mathis before the 2015 NFL season.

That put the man who struggled to find a home for years- a man who finally found his fit in Philadelphia while cementing himself as great player- back on the free agent market and looking for a place to continue to grow as a player in 2015.

He chose the Denver Broncos, and he won his first Super Bowl in 2015. Mathis only signed a one-year deal in 2015, so he is once again a free agent, but this time as a Super Bowl champion.

Mathis was nice enough to speak to NFL Spin Zone about his Super Bowl 50 victory, Chip Kelly, being a free agent in 2016, and more. Read along to see what the former All-Pro left guard had to say.

NFL Spin Zone: After an interesting offseason you decided to go to Denver, which turned out to be a great decision. You went on to win the Super Bowl and get a ring. Can you reflect on that whole process and then the feeling of winning that Super Bowl?

Evan Mathis: Even though I headed into free agency at a weird time (June), I was excited about having the opportunity to be able to play for a contender. Initially 10 teams express interest at various levels and the Broncos weren’t one of them. When Denver jumped into the mix, my gut feeling was that they were a serious contender and that my best opportunity would be there. I was also a little weirded out because I had a dream the week before that John Elway called me. The entire season was an awesome experience with a great group of people. It’s hard to describe the feeling of winning the Super Bowl, the only word that I’ve been able to use to describe it was surreal. Maybe I’m still in that dream where Elway called.

SZ: You’re one of the more interesting players in the NFL. I mean, you were recording Peyton Manning with your GoPro before the game was officially over. I’m intrigued as to what you did after the Super Bowl win. Did you go anywhere fun or do anything worth noting with the family? If not, what did you do after winning your first Super Bowl?

EM: I got some pretty good footage over the course of the Super Bowl week. It will be really fun to look back later in life and relive those times. After the game, I went back to the hotel and went to the team party with my family and teammates. Flo Rida put on a pretty good show there. The Tuesday after the game we had the parade in Denver and over a million people showed up. It was incredible and I got some nice GoPro footage sitting on top of a fire truck. That night, Rick Ross was performing so we hopped on stage with him because we’re the champs.

SZ: Your former coach, Chip Kelly, who decided to release you, went on to go 6-9 this season and was fired by your former team. You went on to win the Super Bowl and get a ring. Can you talk about how that all went down with the Eagles and what you would say to Chip Kelly after it seems it worked out for you and didn’t for him?

EM: I wanted the Eagles to honor the original offer they extended the previous season or to add stronger incentives into my contract. Since they didn’t want to do either, I texted Chip this in March, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOcW9gZv68A. Chip cut 69, went 6-9 and 69 won a Super Bowl. You ask what I would say to Chip, and the only thing I can think of is, “Thanks for making this opportunity possible.”

SZ: Speaking of the Eagles, your former team is looking for help at guard. I guess they released their best run blocker before the 2015 season, but that was the decision by their former head coach. You’re going to be a free agent and I know that a lot of fans would welcome you back with open arms. Any chance at a reunion in Philadelphia and that you’ll be back as an Eagle in 2016?

EM: I haven’t thought much about the future, but I do know it’s too early to rule anything out.

SZ: Evan Mathis. Drafted in the third round by the Panthers and then bounced around to the Dolphins and Bengals. You signed with the Eagles and cemented yourself as one of the best guards in football and, in my opinion, the best guard in football. First-Team All-Pro in 2013. Pro Bowler in 2013 and 2014. Released by the Eagles, but signed with the Broncos. Super Bowl 50 champion. Can you reflect on your career and talk about all the good and bad times leading up to the player you are today?

EM: I’m just a kid who is grateful to be able to live out his dream. All it took was luck and relentlessness.

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Time will tell where Mathis will play in 2016, but the two-time Pro Bowler, former All-Pro, and now Super Bowl champion will provide an anchor at left guard whoever he is playing for.