Peters’ new deal a ‘great message to send’ teammates

PHILADELPHIA » Jason Peters is happy.

The nine-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle is ecstatic Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie interrupted his trip to Europe to approve a one-year contract extension enabling the veteran player to effectively complete his career with the Birds. Cafe au lait, anyone?

“It means a lot,” Peters said Wednesday. “Mr. Lurie, I think he’s away in Europe somewhere. He stood up and got the deal done. I’m happy. I want to thank Mr. Lurie for speaking volumes to get me a contract extension. That speaks volumes for him and the organization. I want to thank everybody for doing that for me.”

The deal ties Peters to the Eagles through 2019, as he had two years remaining on his contract,

and opens the door for the 35-year-old veteran to eventually move inside to guard and hand the left tackle position to Lane Johnson.

Peters feared the Eagles would make him take a pay cut dating back to conversations in January. He’d avoided OTAs largely due to the contract uncertainty.

Now Peters is a profile in loyalty for the Eagles.

“It says a lot that he wants to finish out his career here and retire an Eagle,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “I think 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 and you will be rewarded. I think that’s the name of the game.”

Peters received an $8 million signing bonus and $15.5 million in guarantees, according to reports. His original deal had two years and $20 million left, although none of it was guaranteed.

The plan is for Peters to play left tackle this season, with Johnson spelling him if necessary. Beyond this year, Peters said he’s conducive to moving to guard.

“Right now he’s the left tackle, Lane is right,” Pederson said. “I think Jason with his size and his athleticism and strength and the way he comes off the ball would be a great asset anywhere along the offensive line. But guard could be a potential spot for him down the road.”

Peters and Johnson at the tackles give the Eagles their best chance of keeping quarterback Carson Wentz whole. Wentz, by the way, confirmed that.

“I love those big boys up front,” Wentz said. “They’ve been great for me. Last year and now having J.P. back and now he’s signed for a little longer now, it’s great to know. Those guys have the potential to be one of the best O-lines in the league and I truly believe that.”

The Cowboys have earned the reputation as the gold standard of offensive lines in the NFL. Peters thinks that could change.

“We’re right there with them,” Peters said. “We don’t have a lot of first round picks but we’re right there tit-for-tat with them.”

At the least the Eagles bought additional protection for Wentz, who they feel is their future.

“Having Jason anchored there on the left side, it just gives you a comfort factor on your backside being a right-handed quarterback,” Pederson said. “I know the feeling.”

Peters has 169 starts at left tackle compared to just two for Johnson.

Clearly the Eagles want to move in the direction of Johnson, due $7.75 million in base pay this season, $10 million in 2018 and $10.6 million in 2019.

Moving Johnson would necessitate switching gears to Hal Vaitai or Isaac Seumalo at right tackle. Vaitai was overpowered before injuring a knee last season.

While Seumalo played well in his only start at right tackle, showing he has the feet and the reach to play the position, the Eagles want him to play inside.

Peters says he’s OK with playing guard to accommodate Johnson. That isn’t why he was unhappy the Eagles came at him initially with a pay cut.

In less than 24 hours, Peters was loose and carrying on like he’d hit the lottery. He wants to repay Birds fans and ownership for the contract extension by — what else — winning a Super Bowl.

“The fans deserve a Super Bowl,” Peters said. “The city of Philly deserves it. We’ve got a good team this year. Good quarterbacks, good skill positions, good line. We’ve got a good chance. We’ve just got to put in place Week 1.”