Report: Eagles putting Jordan Mailata at left tackle, Jason Peters at right guard

The Philadelphia Eagles are moving Jason Peters to right guard and starting Jordan Mailata at left tackle moving forward, according to a report from NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark.

This change wasn’t fully expected since Doug Pederson talked about being committed to Peters at left tackle earlier this week.

Q. Even before T Jason Peters left the game yesterday, it seemed like he wasn’t playing at a very high level. What did you make of his performance, and is he your left tackle moving forward?

DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, he’s our left tackle moving forward. Look, there were a lot of things, several things that sort of stood out after watching the film from a number of positions, not just one specific spot or aspect of the game, offensively. Something that, as you’ve heard me say this before, there is enough to go around. O-line, running backs, tight ends, the quarterbacks, the receivers, a lot of work still needs to be done, but we can get it done.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Pederson has said one thing only for something different to happen. (See: the Mike Groh and Carson Walch firings.)

In any case, it’s good to see the Eagles are getting Mailata back in the starting lineup. The 23-year-old showed potential playing at that spot earlier this season. Even if he’s not a better option than Peters right now, which he might be, evaluating him is more valuable than playing a soon-to-be 39-year-old veteran at that spot. Mailata has the potential to be a long-term piece for this franchise.

And, I mean, the Eagles originally re-signed Peters to play right guard anyway. He took reps at that spot in training camp; moving him back inside shouldn’t be so unthinkable. This change was clearly overdue. Apparently Peters’ struggles against the Cleveland Browns finally prompted whomever has the power to change things. (Jeffrey Lurie?)

The Eagles’ projected starting offensive line now looks like this:

Left tackle — Jordan Mailata
Left guard — Isaac Seumalo
Center — Jason Kelce
Right guard — Jason Peters
Right tackle — Lane Johnson

Johnson was listed under “did not participate” on Thursday so it’s not perfectly clear if he’ll suit up against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. His top backup, Jack Driscoll, was listed under “limited participation.” If neither of them can play, the Eagles could opt to go with Matt Pryor at right tackle.

Mailata re-entering the starting lineup ensures the Eagles will be using their 10th different offensive line combination in 11 games this year. To recap:

Week 1 — LT Jason Peters, LG Isaac Seumalo, C Jason Kelce, RG Nate Herbig, RT Jack Driscoll

Week 2 — LT Jason Peters, LG Isaac Seumalo, C Jason Kelce, RG Nate Herbig, RT Lane Johnson

Week 3 — LT Jason Peters, LG Nate Herbig, C Jason Kelce, RG Matt Pryor, RT Lane Johnson

Week 4 — LT Jordan Mailata, LG Nate Herbig, C Jason Kelce, RG Matt Pryor, RT Lane Johnson

Week 5 — LT Jordan Mailata, LG Nate Herbig, C Jason Kelce, RG Matt Pryor, RT Lane Johnson

Week 6 — LT Jordan Mailata, LG Nate Herbig, C Jason Kelce, RG Jamon Brown, RT Jack Driscoll

Week 7 — LT Jordan Mailata, LG Sua Opeta, C Jason Kelce, RG Nate Herbig, RT Lane Johnson

Week 8 — LT Jason Peters, LG Nate Herbig, C Jason Kelce, RG Matt Pryor, RT Jordan Mailata

Week 9 — Bye week

Week 10 — LT Jason Peters, LG Sua Opeta, C Jason Kelce, RG Matt Pryor, RT Lane Johnson

Week 11 — LT Jason Peters, LG Isaac Seumalo, C Jason Kelce, RG Matt Pryor, RT Lane Johnson

Week 12 — LT Jordan Mailata, LG Isaac Seumalo, C Jason Kelce, RG Jason Peters, RT Lane Johnson (?)