Getty Jason Peters is a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Doug Pederson dropped a bombshell about his left tackle situation: The Bodyguard is back.
The Eagles head coach made the huge announcement on Monday while answering a question about Cordy Glenn’s three-day tryout. How did that go? Who cares.
Pederson confirmed that Jason Peters would be his starting left tackle for Week 1 against the Washington Football Team. There was no indication (although speculation abounds) if the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer received the controversial pay raise he reportedly wanted. No matter, Carson Wentz’s blindside will be protected by the 17-year NFL veteran.
“I can actually share some news with you. Jason Peters actually came into my office this morning, and he has decided to slide over to left tackle,” Pederson told reporters via a Zoom call. “This is the unselfishness, this is who he is … we talk about guys and we talk about Jason Peters and this is who he is. He sacrifices not only his body but for the football team.”
Here is Doug Pederson nonchalantly announcing that Jason Peters would be his stating LT in Week 1. #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly
Pederson continued: “And he did an outstanding job for us at right guard, it was a valuable experience for him to play over there on the right side, and get some interior work but as he looks at not only where we are but where he is, he came in today and he was excited to move to left tackle. And I can announce that and I’m thrilled to death.”
The head coach was a bit evasive about whether Peters was going to be compensated for making the switch. Reading between the lines, it sounded like he will be — just not yet. Pederson had sort of dismissed a report last week that he wanted more money. Either way, Peters is “unexpectedly” back at left tackle.
“I had not expected this,” Pederson said. “We continued to talk to Jason and all that but listen we were comfortable with him at right guard. We had made plans to move forward and get ready for the season that way.”
According to Pederson, Peters knocked on the door and walked into his office on Monday morning with an offer to move positions. He was greeted with a warm hug and a “let’s go” chant. No contract talks ever came up.
Jason Peters’ contract hasn’t yet been reworked, despite initial demand he be paid like a LT, NFL source said. So when he “decided” to move from RG, as #Eagles coach Doug Pederson said he did today, it was done in good faith. Does not mean team won’t eventually compensate, tho.
“I’m not going to get into the contract stuff,” Pederson said. “That’s not my area, but I was excited that when he shared the news that he was moving over to the left side and sliding over to the left side, I was thrilled. I mean, I couldn’t have been happier, not only for him but I think for our team. It just shows a sign of great leadership by him and gave him a hug and said let’s go.”
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Carson Wentz Excited to Have ‘Old 71 Back There’
No one was more excited to have Peters back than Wentz. The Eagles quarterback admitted he was “ecstatic” to have “old 71 back there” to protect his blindside. Remmeber, Peters is the only left tackle that Wentz has known in his first four NFL seasons. He put his faith in the coaching staff to figure it out.
“For me, it was just trusting that it would play out how it was supposed to,” Wentz told reporters on Monday. “Obviously I’m ecstatic that it’s JP just because of his track record. His understanding of this offense. His understanding of the position. He’s been doing it for a long time. He’s one of the best. I’m excited that it’s him. The younger guys will get opportunities at other positions so they have to stay ready regardless. But I’m excited that it’s old 71 back there.”
The younger guys referenced are Matt Pryor, Jordan Mailata, Jack Driscoll. Pryor was the leading candidate to take over at left tackle once Andre Dillard went down, although Pederson kept Mailata and Driscoll in an ongoing competition there. Now Pryor will look to move to right guard, the same position where he flashed potential in 2019. Nate Herbig will also get a crack at right guard in practice.
“I took it one day at a time. I believe in whatever guy is out there, to be honest,” Wentz said. “I think it was helpful to get a lot of those guys reps, in that competition and everything.”
@Jason_Bartlow @aburanich @SportsRadioWIP @MarksReeseWIP LOL!!! Matt Pryor is your guy for RG, I haven’t been in a Right Handed Stance since college
Added Pederson: “At right guard, Matt Pryor is an option there. We do have some other younger players. I mean, Herbig has been working in there. Driscoll has been working in there. We’ve got some options at the right guard position.”
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Eagles Make Huge Announcement on Starting Left Tackle