The bodyguard He is back in Philadelphia and his nickname has never been more appropriate given his (unexpected!) change of position. Yes, after months of speculation about a possible comeback, Jason Peters has officially accepted a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Here are some thoughts on what this news means to birds.
1 can Jason Peters make a successful transition to the right guard?
Can the Eagles really count on Peters, who turns 39 in January, to effectively learn a new position at his age? And during a low season where practice reps are more limited than ever because of COVID-19?
Peters does not have any extensive experience in the position. The closest he was to playing with the right guard was lining up with the right tackle for 10 games at the Buffalo Bills in 2005. Otherwise, he has been anchored at left tackle.
The Eagles appear to be relying on Peters’ talent victory. There are reasons to believe that he remains an effective player. Pro Football Focus rated it as their sixth best offensive tackle last year.
Playing between two All Pro talents at Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson could further help Peters transition. You might also imagine that Jeff Stoutland, who has a reputation as one of the best offensive line coaches in the league, should be able to help Peters.
It’s hard to imagine Peters being an absolute disaster on his guard. But how effective will it be when you replace Brandon Brooks? And can you stay in the field? Peters missed 25% of the Eagles’ offensive snapshots last year, 20% in 2018, and 63% in 2017.
2 – It is naive to believe that this new firm has nothing to do with Andre Dillard
The Eagles are clearly trying to turn this movement around:
Getting more information about this …
Jason Peters will play RG, not left guard. The eagles believe that he can make the transition.
They also think it can help with swing swing if something happens to Dillard. Key leader in the team.
The move has nothing to do with Dillard. He is the initial LT.
– Zach Berman (@ZBerm) July 14, 2020
Do not fall in the trap.
The Eagles were interested in bringing Peters back before Brooks was injured. And his interest in re-signing JP absolutely coincided with the uncertainty about Dillard. Let’s go back to what I wrote about Dillard’s 2020 perspective earlier this week:
Additionally, there were multiple reports of the Eagles being opened to move Dillard. One came to characterize the team as “hanging” it as “commercial bait.” These reports do not conflict with the inside information I heard about Dillard. There are internal concerns about the mental makeup of the Washington state product after multiple outbursts during its rookie season. Not to mention, most importantly, his difficulties on the field not only on the right tackle but also on the left side. 2020 will be critical for Dillard as he tries to prove that he can not only replace Peters, but is also the Eagles’ long-term response at left tackle.
To be clear, I don’t blame the Eagles for trying to publicly spin Peters’ signing has anything to do with Dillard. They shouldn’t try to undermine the confidence of their 2019 first-round pick.
But the reality is that Peters, back in the building, opens up the possibility for him to take over the left tackle if Dillard really struggles like he did sometimes as a rookie. There will be calls for JP to replace the sophomore blocker if things go wrong. It will be interesting to see how patient the Eagles are with Dillard.
3 – The depth of the Eagles offensive line is increased
Retrieving Peters not only solidifies the starting right guard position. It also clarifies questions about the depth of the team.
Someone like Jordan Mailata or Jack Driscoll, both of whom have never played an NFL regular-season snap, would have been the Eagles’ best swing tackle before signing Peters. That is far from being an ideal situation. The Eagles can now use Peters to complete if Dillard or Lane Johnson get hurt. Matt Pryor can replace Peters’ spot on the guard.
Pryor will also be the best inside backer if / when something happens to Peters or Isaac Seumalo.
4 – This is a good move for the locker room
Peters is highly respected (read: feared?) By almost everyone at the NovaCare Complex. The future Hall of Fame member is a key leader not only on the offensive line but throughout the team. Getting him back makes up for part of the leadership vacuum left by Malcolm Jenkins’ departure.
5 – Peters’ return goes against the youth movement
I have listed the positives of Peters’ new signature, but it’s also fair to acknowledge the downside. I totally agree with the Eagles trying to increase their offensive line. Unity has been critical to its success.
But one must admit that bringing back a 38-year-old goes against the Eagles’ stated goal of getting younger. Peters is probably a better option than Pryor in 2020 … but we also won’t know for sure if the latter doesn’t have a chance to grow. The Eagles thrived when they were forced to give young players opportunities down the stretch in 2019.
Nor is Peters having signed a minimal deal. Her one-year contract is worth up to $ 6 million with $ 3 million guaranteed. Those terms hardly qualify to break the bank, but every penny features the Eagles being $ 50.7 million above the limit in 2021. Any additional limit space they consume in 2020 is less than they can rack up for next season. And we haven’t yet considered the cap repercussions related to the COVID-19 pandemic that could further damage the position of the Eagles’ cap.
Hopefully, the Eagles bringing Peters back don’t end similarly to their overdependence on Darren Sproles.
6 – Could Peters return in 2021?
Peters has told people he wants to play until he is 40 years old. She’s only 38 years old right now, so she seems to be watching at least two more seasons, including this one. Just because Peters tries to play doesn’t mean he’ll get his wish. But it’s crazy to think if this might not be Peters’ last year in the NFL … or with the Eagles. It doesn’t fit neatly into Philly’s 2021 photo, so maybe it would end up somewhere else. But then again, many thought Peters would not return to the Eagles in 2020 and here he is.