HEADLINES

Jason Kelce

Eagles To Extend Jason Kelce

February 27th, 2014 at 8:05am CST by Luke Adams

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.

NFC East Rumors: Kelce, Giants, Redskins

February 26th, 2014 at 12:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Standout offensive tackle Jason Peters re-upped with the Eagles today, agreeing to a contract extension that adds four more years to his current deal, keeping him under contract through 2018. While Peters was the first Philadelphia offensive lineman to reach a new agreement this offseason, he likely won’t be the last, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links). Both reporters believe it’s just a matter of time until the Eagles also announce an extension for center Jason Kelce, whose rookie contract is set to expire a year from now.

Here are a few more Wednesday updates on the Eagles’ three division rivals:

  • As the Giants look to upgrade their offensive line, the club is eyeing potential free agent guards, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. While New York does think veteran Chris Snee will return in 2014, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the team could target players like Jon Asamoah, Geoff Schwartz, Chad Rinehart, Zane Beadles, and Shawn Lauvao in free agency, says Raanan.
  • A few former teammates thought Corey Webster would retire after his contract with the Giants voided this month, but Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 says (via Twitter) the veteran cornerback plans to play in 2014. Due to injuries and poor play in 2013, Webster is unlikely to land much more than a minimum contract in free agency.
  • Redskins linebacker Bryan Kehl, who is eligible for free agency next month, has yet to discuss a new deal with the team, tweets Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com (Twitter link). Meanwhile, the club continues to talk to free agent linebacker Brian Orakpo, but no agreement is imminent, writes Mark Maske of the Washington Post.
  • Although safety is an area of need for the Cowboys this offseason, Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News explains why the team shouldn’t consider addressing the position in the first round of the draft.

NFC East Notes: Eagles, Kelce, Cowboys

February 7th, 2014 at 9:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Tonight’s glance at the NFC East..

  • The Eagles want to keep Jason Kelce for the long-term, writes Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. A league source tells Frank the Eagles and the center’s agent, Jason Bernstein, haven’t started contract talks but plan to fairly soon. It would be surprising if by the start of training camp, Kelce doesn’t have a long-term multi-year deal worth about $4.5-$5MM per year.
  • The Cowboys‘ top priority this offseason should be fixing their disappointing defense, opines Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com. Their switch from the 3-4 defense to the 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme after the 2012 season wasn’t well thought out in Taylor’s view and the club doesn’t have the proper personnel for it. The Tampa 2 scheme requires a disruptive defensive tackle who plays on the outside shoulder of the right guard, a weakside linebacker who can make plays sideline to sideline, and a hard-hitting safety that can make receivers pay. Dallas, unfortunately, doesn’t have any of those by Taylor’s count.
  • The Eagles signing of wide receiver Joe Anderson will have no bearing on what they do with free agents Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper, writes ESPN.com’s Phil Sheridan. Anderson was added for his special teams experience and his signing probably will have more of an impact on Brad Smith and Jeff Maehl than on Maclin and Cooper.