BREAKING: Eagles Sign LT Jason Peters to Contract Extension

Nov 3, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (71) defends as quarterback Nick Foles (9) throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 49-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In their first splash of the 2014 offseason, the Eagles decided to ensure one of their All-Pro players remains in the fold for the next few years.

After further speculation, it surfaced that there was a fifth year in the deal that could potentially see the deal wrapping up in 2018. Jason Peters, who bounced back from multiple Achilles injuries, will remain in charge of defending Nick Foles‘ blind side for at least the 2014 season and hopefully beyond. The deal, which could keep the mammoth tackle in Philadelphia through the 2018 campaign, will also pay Peters $19.55 million of guaranteed money.

Many point to his multiple ruptured Achilles injuries prior to the 2012 season as an omen for things to come. One could have, and might still be able to, argued that Peters was the team’s best player regardless of his position. Losing him for the entire season sent the offensive line into a tailspin and the rest of the team followed. Peters actually collected more money off of that fiasco, collecting $2 million in a settlement with a medical equipment company for a faulty device.

Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (71) battles Detroit Lions defensive end Devin Taylor (92) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

At 32 years old, Peters is still one of the most dominant physical specimens in the game at his position. Despite not staking his claim to the premiere player at one of the money positions in the NFL as he was prior to his injuries, Peters remained a high-level left tackle and is exactly the type of player the Eagles prefer on their offensive line. The former Arkansas tight end’s foot speed and quickness combined with his titanic strength make him, pound for pound, one of the most impressive athletes in the league.

After hearing Chip Kelly’s early gushing over Peters upon his arrival, it was safe to stay that the veteran book-end passed the new head coach’s eye test. Speaking for one of the first times in the media since the end of the season, the Eagles head coach only reinforced the notion that Peters is as valued a player in this organization as any other.

"There aren’t many people cut from the same cloth as Jason Peters…To be able to bounce back from two Achilles injuries and return to an All-Pro level speaks not only to his incredible athleticism, but proves just how hard he works at his game. Having him at left tackle provides a lot of comfort to our quarterback and to our entire offense. He’s a guy that many players look up to in our locker room.”"

Safe to say the coach is pretty pumped to have his mountain on the offensive line return. The Eagles offensive line should remain in tact for the foreseeable future. The extension keeps Lane Johnson on the right side and will allow the organization to focus on building depth along the line rather than trying to nail down a replacement for Peters, a tall task indeed. If Peters turned in another All-Pro season next year, a legitimate possibility given the fact that major injuries like an Achilles tear often take multiple years to fully recover, the team could have priced themselves out of Peters’ services given the market for the position. Instead, they are essentially staying the course with Peters, giving him a big chunk of money up front, and allowing him to retire as an Eagle, hopefully. Not too shabby for an undrafted tight end out of Arkansas.

Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters (71) walks off the field after defeating the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

On an unrelated note, the fact that Peters did not win 2013 NFL Comeback Player of the Year is made even more preposterous by the announcement of this extension. Philip Rivers came back from being terrible from a year and was somehow more of an inspirational story than a 300+ pound man putting in the work to rehab one of the most important muscles in the lower body and return close to pre-injury form. Ridiculous.