Jason Peters gets well-deserved, mega extension
Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (71) on the bench during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The league’s best offensive line just added some security, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Philadelphia Eagles have given an extension to star left tackle Jason Peters, who will now make $41.3 million over the next four seasons. Peters’s agent Vincent Taylor also informed Schefter that his client will make $19.55 million in guaranteed money, and that’s a massive contract for a player who is 32. But an extension has been rumored for about a month now, so the deal shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Peters missed the entire 2012 season with an injury, and he looked a tad worse for wear to begin the 2013 season. However, he quickly got back into the swing of things, and he never really struggled either in the beginning of the year; he simply wasn’t as elite as usual. But the former Buffalo Bills star was back to his old, road-grating self before long and finished the 2013 season as one of the league’s strongest pass protectors and run blockers. Pass blocking is the main thing that left tackles get paid the big bucks for, but tackles who also excel at run blocking earn more than just a little extra cash. There aren’t many tackles who are as good in the running game as Peters, who simply dominates in that regard. Chip Kelly also loves running the football with superstar back LeSean McCoy, so his run blocking is all the more important in the Eagles eyes.
Still an elite player, Peters is one of the stars on the league’s best offensive line, which includes the best guard in the game (Evan Mathis), an excellent center in Jason Kelce, and a promising young gun at right tackle in Lane Johnson. The worry is that this deal will run out when he’s 35, so the $10 million+ annual total is pricey for a player of his age. However, it’s also in-line with what players of his caliber make, as Peters is still an All-Pro quality left tackle. At the end of the day, he’s worth the money, and his ridiculous athleticism should enable him to be effective during the final year of his new deal.