THURSDAY, 8:05am: The Eagles and Kelce are in agreement on an extension, which will be a six-year deal worth $37.5MM, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). According to Caplan, $13MM of that money will be guaranteed.
Since Kelce hadn’t been slated to hit free agency until next winter, he’s now under contract for seven years, through the 2020 season. His deal can max out at over $40MM, and makes him one of the top five highest-paid centers in the NFL.
WEDNESDAY, 4:37pm: It’s been a busy day for the Eagles, who have announced a long-term contract extension for left tackle Jason Peters and are reportedly closing in on a new deal for Riley Cooper. However, it seems the club isn’t done making moves. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles are expected to announce a new multiyear extension for center Jason Kelce in the near future, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.
Kelce is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2014, and has developed into one of the league’s top centers since being selected in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. The 26-year-old started all 16 games for the Eagles in 2013, and his performance ranked first among 35 qualified centers, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).
Contracts for centers aren’t as lucrative as those inked by left tackles, and Kelce’s new salary may also be limited by a lack of public recognition for his play — unlike Peters, he has yet to earn a spot in a Pro Bowl. Still, an annual salary of $4MM+ would make Kelce one of the top 10 highest-paid centers in the NFL, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him receive more than that from the Eagles.
Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com and McLane (Twitter links) both reported earlier today that Kelce would likely be the next Eagles lineman to receive a contract extension.