Reports: Troubled by Eagles’ offense and Kelly, Gore picks Colts

According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1, citing multiple sources, running back Frank Gore backed out of his deal with the Eagles to join the Colts for two primary reasons:

1. The Eagles' personnel
2. Chip Kelly

First, the personnel.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gore plans to join the Colts and sign a deal similar to the Eagles' offer: three years, $12 million, $7.5 million guaranteed.

But shortly after Gore agreed to come to Philly, Jeremy Maclin left for Kansas City, causing Gore (and everyone else) to have concerns about the Eagles' offense.

The Chiefs, according to Garafolo, offered Maclin $11 million per year, and Kelly wouldn't match it.

So while the Eagles are trying to fill the void left by Maclin's departure, the Colts still have deep threat T.Y. Hilton.

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And then there's the most obvious personnel difference between the two offenses: QB. The Colts have Andrew Luck, and the Eagles' quarterback situation has been a daily topic of debate since Kelly became head coach.

The Eagles re-signed Mark Sanchez, further fueling speculation that the team will make a run at Marcus Mariota (more on that here).

Now the second.

The report also cites a source who claims, to quote Garafolo, "Gore also indicated to a friend he was concerned with what he heard about Kelly's overbearing approach in Philly."

Whisper-down-the-lane element aside, there's another report to substantiate this, by Yahoo!'s Rand Getlin:

Chip Kelly is divisive. That's not a surprise. His reputation among players around the league isn't stellar. Split opinions at Oregon, too.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 10, 2015

One thing that is indisputable about Chip though is that he's a helluva coach. May not be for everyone but he's never run from that reality.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 10, 2015

On the other hand ...

FYI: Per league sources, at least two Eagles FA targets who signed elsewhere had no problem w/Chip Kelly's scheme, regimen, personalty, etc.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffPMosher) March 10, 2015

Nevertheless, Garafolo's report cites that LeSean McCoy, Cary Williams and DeSean Jackson all had issues with Kelly's intense, no-nonsense approach. McCoy patched things up with Kelly, but Jackson (obviously) and Williams didn't. Kelly cut DeSean, and Williams, if you'll recall, openly complained last season about Kelly's practice schedule.

Cut by the Eagles last week, Williams has since agreed to a deal with Seattle (did the Eagles cut him too soon?).

Now the Eagles are not only searching for another cornerback and safety but also a running back and wide receiver.

Free agency officially begins at 4 p.m.