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Chip Kelly Rumors: Former Eagles coach visited Alabama

But why did he visit?

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly was in Tuscaloosa earlier this week to meet with Alabama's staff, according to a report from ESPN's Brett McMurphy.

So this obviously means Kelly is going back to college, right?! Well, not so fast. The report doesn't offer a reason why Kelly met with Nick Saban's team, so one is only left to speculate. We do know Kelly is a football junkie and doesn't mind traveling around the country to visit different football programs (we'll miss those pro day visits).

Just because Kelly met with Alabama doesn't necessarily mean he was interviewing for a position with the Crimson Tide. Maybe it's worth noting, though, that former Eagles vice president of player personnel and Kelly ally Ed Marynowitz worked there before coming to Philly?

In any case, they certainly don't have a head coaching vacancy and their season isn't even over yet anyway. Alabama is set to play against Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, Jan. 11.

It's interesting, though, because there are several indications Kelly doesn't have such a hot market going for him in the NFL. He hasn't been involved in any rumors since earlier this week, when he was connected to the Giants' vacancy. And even that rumor was shot down by some reporters.

Meanwhile, NFL insider Ian Rapoport said there's a soft market for Kelly. Jason Cole furthered that notion with his report about how two NFL owners think Kelly is basically begging for a new job.

Shortly after getting fired by the Eagles, Kelly reportedly told Jay Glazer he wants to stay in the NFL. That very well might be true. But does the NFL want Kelly? The answer to that question remains to be seen.

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