Eagles To Check Out G Chris Chester
Photo courtesy of USA Today.
UPDATE: Chester has reportedly signed with the Falcons.
The Eagles are bringing in veteran offensive lineman Chris Chester for a visit, according to Adam Caplan.
Chester (6-3, 303), a second-round pick by the Ravens back in 2006, has started 111 games over his career, including 46 straight at right guard for Washington the last four years. He was released by Washington on Wednesday in a move that will reportedly save the team $4 million in cap money.
According to NFL.com, Chester “was an ill fit for Jay Gruden‘s power-blocking scheme and he struggled in 2014.”
Perhaps he would be a better fit in Philly.
Experience in Mike Shanahan’s zone-blocking schemes, too. https://t.co/E3mnUThdv2
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) May 29, 2015
The Eagles could certainly use some reinforcements along the interior. They decided to part ways with Todd Herremans this offseason. And their other starter from 2014, Evan Mathis, is unhappy with his contract and has stayed away from voluntary workouts this spring.
Allen Barbre has been getting the first team reps at left guard in his absence, while Matt Tobin and Andrew Gardner are rotating at right guard. Though the coaching staff seems to see promise here, all come with question marks attached to them. There is not much proven depth behind them. The Eagles were unable to add any o-line help in the draft, instead picking up several undrafted free agents after the fact.
The need for additional help grows, of course, if the decision is made to move on from Mathis. At his press conference Thursday, Chip Kelly said that he has not spoken with Mathis since the offseason training program began.