Philadelphia Eagles: 5 reasons signing Jason Peters was a good idea
By David Esser
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Jason Peters #71 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Jason Peters #71 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4d7fb16d051e5ccf753fffb8adae3cae8b584f5152eeb47fadbf2ce3f980ea5f.jpg)
Jason Peters brings some much needed leadership to the Philadelphia Eagles’ locker room.
With the departure of Malcolm Jenkins taking place this offseason, an obvious void in leadership was created in the Eagles’ locker room. Jenkins had routinely been the guy coaches and teammates had looked to when it came time for an inspirational speech, or some tough motivational words.
With Peters now set to re-join Philadelphia for 2020, the Eagles are at least able to soften that blow a tiny bit. Peters is nowhere near as vocal of a leader as Jenkins was, but he is widely considered one of the most respected Eagles players in franchise history. When he speaks, players tend to listen no matter what.
The Eagles have had a few locker room issues in recent history, specifically surrounding their franchise QB Carson Wentz. A disgruntled Eagle (most people assume it was Alshon Jeffery) has not been shy about voicing his frustrations with the former North Dakota State shot caller.
Peters is a huge Wentz fan and supporter, and the two have a close bond on and off the field. With Peters hanging around the locker room, I find it quite unlikely Alshon (or anyone else for that matter) would ever try to seriously start something with Wentz.
Some people might write off the value of veteran leadership on a football team, but it is genuinely one of the biggest reasons the Eagles have been able to rally together the last three years. Without guys like Jenkins and Peters, I find it extremely unlikely the team would have made the playoffs the last two seasons or even won the Super Bowl in 2017.
With COVID-19 messing up every team’s offseason program, having those veterans to guide and mentor rookies is that much more important in 2020.