Eagles Mailbag: Russell Wilson and Chip Kelly together in Philadelphia would be a dream scenario

Welcome back to the weekly BGN Mailbag. This post will be here every weekend from now until early August or so. Thanks to everyone on Twitter who sent in a question. Let's talk some Eagles football.

To the Q&A...

@BrandonGowton asks: Could the Eagles get Russell Wilson?

I'm submitting my own question because there's been some buzz about the Russell Wilson situation recently.

According to Mike Florio of PFT, Wilson leaving the Seahawks in 2016 is a "real possibility." Wilson wants to be the highest paid player in the NFL and Seattle isn't rushing to pay him that kind of money. But while the two sides might not be close now, I'd wager they'll eventually work it out. It's really hard to envision Wilson leaving Seattle.

BUT ... if something were to happen where the Seahawks applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to Wilson, then the Eagles should absolutely sign Wilson to an offer sheet. If Seattle doesn't match, the Eagles would get Wilson at the cost of two first round picks. It's the longest of long shots, and in no way do I think it's realistic, but it's at least fun to think about Wilson and Chip Kelly together in Philadelphia, right? Heck, Wilson once promised to win the Eagles multiple Super Bowls if they drafted him.

I've written before about how the Eagles were so very wrong to pass over Wilson three times in the 2012 NFL Draft.

"Adding Wilson to the Eagles now would instantly solve their quarterback issue. Chip Kelly would maximize Wilson's value in an offense built to his strengths. As it's been said before, it's not that Kelly needs a dual-threat such as Wilson. But you would be incredibly foolish to suggest that Wilson's value as a runner doesn't add significant value to a team's offense.

If you're looking for some tangible evidence (as opposed to idealized hypothetical) of how dynamic Kelly's offense could be with Wilson, check out this post from ChipWagon. Look at how the threat of Wilson as a runner opens things for Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch."

Wilson to the Eagles is currently a pipe dream, but it will be a completely impossibility if/when the Eagles sign Sam Bradford to a contract extension.

@GottahBV asks: Is Nolan Carroll's starting spot all but locked up or is there competition?

There's still time for things to change, but for now I'm pretty confident in saying Nolan Carroll will be the opening day starter at cornerback opposite of Byron Maxwell. Coaches and players have raved about him, and for good reason. He's had a strong spring. He also looked good last summer before suffering a groin injury that kept him sidelined a little in preseason/training camp. Eric Rowe could push Carroll out of a starting spot if he looks really good and Carroll struggles, but I don't anticipate that happening yet.

@BeeOhBeeRT asks: Is Henry Josey the future?

This question is obviously asked in jest, but remember when fans were really upset about the Eagles cutting Josey? Seriously, read the comments in this thread. Judging by the reaction there, you would have thought the Eagles made a big mistake.

After being cut by the Eagles, Josey signed with the Jaguars' practice squad. He was then signed by the Vikings' active roster late in December but Minnesota waived him this offseason. Now he's a member of the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League.

The legend of Josey should serve as a learning experience for Eagles fans when the time for final cuts arrives this year. Be careful how much stock you put into preseason performance and don't overreact to fringe guys getting cut.

@TheMarkGuntle asks: Reggie Wayne is still out there ... good teacher for Nelson Agholor?

Agholor has been compared to Wayne, so I see where this question is coming from. But no, I don't see the Eagles doing that. Miles Austin is already filling the veteran leadership role in the WR room. Who would have thought I'd ever be saying that?

@Mass_45 asks: How many total linebackers do you think the Eagles will carry on their 53-man roster?

My latest 53-man projection has the Eagles keeping a total of nine: four outside linebackers and five inside linebackers. I think eight of those players are locks. So it should be about nine or 10 linebackers total. Travis Long, Brad Jones, and Najee Goode are on the bubble. The team has been high on Long and Goode in the past but they need to stay healthy. The Eagles seemingly like Jones' versatility to play outside and inside. Maybe Emmanuel Acho could push for a spot.

@BroadStBeat asks: Why didn't Chip Kelly pay his rent? :(

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