Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Matthews wants to make a comeback…at TE?

Quite possibly Howie Roseman’s favorite NFL player to ever exist (due to how many times the Philadelphia Eagles GM has signed him), former Eagles second-round pick Jordan Matthews is exploring a return to professional football…but at tight end. According to ESPN reporter Turron Davenport, the seven-year veteran has put on 30lbs in preparation to play the new position, and is working out with some local coaches and trainers:

First and foremost, Matthews switching to tight end full-time really isn’t as crazy of an idea as it may initially seem. Matthews is still just 28 years old, and we’re seeing a growing movement of former wide receivers and quarterbacks changing positions to tight end. The recent Tim Tebow signing is probably the most popular example of this taking place, but the Philadelphia Eagles themselves have been experimenting with moving failed position players to tight end over the past year or so.

Hakeem Butler was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals to play WR and is now listed as a tight end for the Eagles, and Tyree Jackson was a college QB who is also currently being listed as a tight end.

While the likes of Tebow, Butler, and Jackson don’t have the highest odds of succeeding at the NFL level at TE, someone like Matthews probably has a slightly better chance. He’s got 3,288 career receiving yards to his name, and likely has a few strong connections around the NFL with former coaches and players.

Former Philadelphia Eagles wideout Jordan Matthews is looking to return to the NFL, but as a tight end.

More from Section 215

• 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
• 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
• Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
• Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles

It’s also worth mentioning that Matthews was most successful with the Eagles operating as a “big slot” type player, someone who took up space over the middle of the field as a security blanket – a similar role to what modern day tight ends are typically asked to do. If a team were to take a chance on Matthews this season, it would be for what he could potentially provide in the passing game.

Where Matthews is lacking at the moment is his blocking, which of course is a pretty big part of playing tight end. Even if a team signs Matthews solely to be a pass-catching backup TE, they’d still need him to be a willing and able blocker.

While the Philadelphia Eagles tight end room is a bit of a mess at the moment, I find a potential “JMatt” return to be unlikely. The team already has its hands full trying to teach the position to the before mentioned TE converts, and they just signed Richard Rodgers back.

Plus, Matthews had a very strong relationship with Carson Wentz. Talk about awkward.

Matthews’ Philadelphia Eagles career spanned across five different seasons. He caught a total of 249 passes for 3,006 yards for 21 touchdowns. He currently ranks 21st on the team’s all-time receiving yards list.