Doug Pederson explains why Eagles gave Jason Peters a contract extension

Doug Pederson spoke with reporters on Wednesday shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles announced a new contract extension for left tackle Jason Peters. Pederson explained why the Eagles re-signed Peters, touched on offensive lineman’s future with the team (including a possible position change down the road), and more.

OPENING STATEMENT

“Just want to start by saying congratulations to Jason Peters. We’re excited that he’s going to be an Eagle for the next several years. His desire, and mine as well, is that he retires an Eagle. So we’re excited to have him and have him signed for the next few years. Congratulations to him and now it’s time to play some ball.”

DO YOU ANTICIPATE HIM BEING THE LEFT TACKLE FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS WITH LANE JOHNSON STAYING ON THE RIGHT SIDE?

“It’s hard to speculate, obviously, on that. This year, that would be the scenario. That would be the case. In the future, that’s something that we would definitely cross that bridge if we needed to move him inside, for instance. But right now, he’s left tackle, Lane is right.

COULD YOU EVEN SEE HIM MOVING TO RIGHT AND LANE MOVING TO LEFT IN A YEAR OR TWO?

“I think that’d be hard for Jason. He’s played left tackle the majority of his career. It’d be hard for him all of a sudden to jump over. But again, I don’t want to get into the speculation on that. Just excited that he’s here and working at left tackle.”

HE COULD PLAY WELL AT GUARD, RIGHT?

“I think so. I think so. I think with his size, and like you just mentioned, his athleticism, strength, gosh, the way he comes off the ball would be a great asset really anywhere along the offensive line. But guard could be a potential spot down the road.”

HOW MUCH DID YOU PUSH FOR PETERS’ CONTRACT?

“I didn’t really push. I just knew these things work themselves out in time. I’m just excited that he’s here and that I get to work with him for the next few years. He’s a great player, a great asset. Anchors that offensive line, obviously. Outside of that, I didn’t do anything above and beyond the norm of just wanting him here.”

HOW MUCH DOES HE STILL HAVE LEFT?

“Well, that would be a Jason Peters questions, I think, because he knows his body. I know that the way we handled him last year, he started 16 games for us. He was a Pro Bowl left tackle. Those [rest days] are some of the same kind of things we have to continue to do this year with him. Same with Brent Celek and other guys on the team who are able to manage their reps and keep them healthy for 16 weeks. We’ll try to keep that same formula going.”

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE OFFENSIVE LINE CONTINUITY FOR CARSON WENTZ?

“I think it’s huge. I think it’s huge to have your offensive line intact that way. Especially a guy like Jason Kelce in the middle. He’s the field general for that group and he’s a smart guy. He gets the guys going in the right direction. He and Carson have a great relationship in [identifying] things defensively, protections, runs, things of that nature. And now having Jason [Peters] anchored there on the left side, just gives you a comfort factor on your backside for a right-handed quarterback. I know the feeling of having those, back in the day, those Tra Thomases over there, or the Jon Runyans on the right side. To have those anchors on your edge, gives you a little more comfort as a pocket passer and someone who can just take advantage of those guys being the core of your offensive line.”

DO YOU THINK THERE’S VALUE IN A HALL OF FAMER WANTING TO BE PART OF THIS TEAM?

“It says a lot that he wants to finish out his career here, retire an Eagle. It’s so important. It’s a great message to send to the rest of the guys, that you continue to work hard and do right, you will be rewarded. I think that’s the name of the game. As Jason has done his whole career, he’s worked extremely hard. He’s put himself in great positions. He’s a Pro Bowl left tackle. He’s an anchor of that offensive line. A guy that even now, on the back end of his career, let’s say, still practices fast, still practices hard, still rallies the troops. You don’t see that a lot from your veteran players. It’s very valuable and a great message to send to the rest of the team.”

In addition to Pederson’s comments, Eagles executive vice president Howie Roseman also released a statement on Peters this morning.

"Jason is a future Hall of Famer, a great player, and leader. He has been an anchor for our offensive line for many years and now we are thrilled about being able to work something out that will allow him to finish his career here in Philadelphia."

Peters himself also offered a quote.

"It means a lot. This is reassurance that I'm going to retire here and don't have to go year to year. It's just another way of them reassuring that I'm going to be here. I love Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie, the whole organization, the City of Philadelphia, and the fans. It speaks volumes for them to still look at me that way, it's nothing but love."

Check out Pederson’s entire press conference via the Bleeding Green Nation Facebook page. (Click here or watch the video below.)