Eagles Ask Jason Peters About Pay Cut

There were reports in late January that the Eagles would be looking to reduce some of their 2017 cap obligations, and we’ve received some clarity on their strategy. According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via ESPN.com’s Tim McManus), the organization has approached left tackle Jason Peters about taking a pay cut.

Jason PetersThe 35-year-old is set to earn a base salary of $10.45MM in 2017, and his $11.7MM cap number is the highest on the team. That number would rank 10th in the league among offensive lineman, while his base salary would rank fifth (behind Travis Frederick, Trent Williams, Tyron Smith, and Ryan Clady‘s hypothetical team option). The lineman originally joined the Eagles via a trade with the Bills in 2009, and he inked a five-year, $51.3MM contract ($19.55MM guaranteed) in 2014. The lineman is set to make another $10MM in 2018.

The former undrafted free agent has made nine Pro Bowls and is a three-time first-team All-Pro, but the veteran has predictably lost a step after having played 12 seasons in the NFL. As McManus notes, Peters led the NFL with 10 false starts this past season. However, the lineman seemed to return to form following a mediocre 2015 campaign where he missed a handful of games. Furthermore, the team’s desire to keep young quarterback Carson Wentz upright could prevent the front office from outright releasing Peters.

“You can ask [Peters] nicely to consider taking a pay cut. If he doesn’t, what are you going to do?” former agent Joel Corry told McManus. “You’re not going to release him and create another hole. You’d save $9.7 million on the cap, but would the ends justify the means with him? You really need him at this point.”

The Eagles currently have $169MM committed to their 2017 squad, leaving them with only $7.4MM in space heading into this offseason. The recent report by Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice indicated that Peters wouldn’t be receptive to a pay cut, so the organization may have to pursue other ways to clear money off of their cap.

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