Chip Kelly hasn't been shy in his feelings towards his former QB at Oregon, Marcus Mariota. A source close to the Eagles told NJ.com that the Eagles are "going to try" and move up in the draft to select Mariota. Easier said then done though as the Eagles pick 20th.
"From No. 20, it's certainly not going to be easy,'' said the person, who requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak on the subject. "It's probably going to take moving up twice to do it. There's going to be some wheeling and dealing involved.''
Asked if he thought it could happen, the response was telling.
"Can it happen?'' he asked. "I don't know. But they're going to try.''
Chip Kelly recruited Mariota to Oregon and coached him during his first two seasons with the Ducks. Mariota went on to win the Heisman Trophy after tossing 42 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The Ducks did end up losing to Ohio State in the Championship Game, 42-20. Mariota went 24-for-37 for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 39 yards on ten carries. This season, Mariota rushed for 770 yards and 15 touchdowns as well.
The Ducks quarterback said that it would be fun being reunited with his former coach.
"Obviously, [with] my relationship with Coach Kelly, it'd be a lot of fun to be a part of that offense and be a part of that team," Mariota said.
With the recent shuffling of the Eagles' front office, Kelly now has the final say on personnel matters, answering only to owner Jeffrey Lurie, who writes the checks.
"That makes it a little easier,'' the person said. "There isn't anyone in (Kelly's) way.''
If the Eagles do plan on trying to move up and get Mariota, a package similar to what the Redskins did to acquire RGIII would be expected. Whether it be a combination of first round picks and some players, there has been some speculation that it might take three first round picks along with additional selections. An NFL personnel executive told NJ.com that they believed a package could involve a first & second rounder this year, a first rounder next year and LeSean McCoy.
Earlier today, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News made a couple of tweets with regard to the subject, claiming that the Eagles will look at what it takes to get Mariota, but there are no sources "with knowledge" of the Eagles' draft plans.
Unless someone has done the Vulcan mind-meld with Chip Kelly, there are no sources with knowledge of the Eagles’ thinking or plans. Period.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 20, 2015
The possibilities of potential packages are endless and whether the Eagles go through with it remains to be seen. What we do know from these reports though is that Kelly may not be sold on Nick Foles as the signal caller moving forward.
