The Eagles and left tackle Jason Peters have come to a mutual agreement that will send the future Hall of Fame player into unrestricted free agency on March 18, the team announced on Thursday morning.
"The Philadelphia Eagles and Jason Peters have mutually agreed that Peters will enter the free agent market when the new league year begins on March 18," the team said in a statement. "We are appreciative of everything Jason has contributed to the organization over the last 11 seasons in Philadelphia, including building a first-ballot Hall of Fame career and helping us win our first Super Bowl Championship. Jason has been an incredible leader and person both on and off the field. We will remain in communication as each side continues to evaluate its options in free agency."
Peters, selected to the Pro Bowl seven times with the Eagles and nine times in his remarkable 16-year career, is now slated to become an unrestricted free agent on March 18 when the league's new calendar year begins and free agency kicks off at 4 PM. Peters started 14 games, including the postseason loss to Seattle, at the age of 37 in 2019. He played 953 offensive snaps – more than 76 percent of the 1,252 total offensive snaps for the season. He has been a mainstay at left tackle since the Eagles acquired him in a trade with Buffalo in April 2009.
The cost to acquire Peters – first-, fourth- and sixth-round draft picks – was well worth it as he stepped in as Tra Thomas moved on in free agency and provided All-Pro-level play. His seven Pro Bowls and six All-Pro selections, including first-team nods in 2011 and 2013, indicate just how that trade turned out for Peters and the Eagles.
The door remains open as both sides evaluate all of their options in free agency. As Howie Roseman said during the recent NFL Scouting Combine, the offensive line is always a priority for the Eagles and you can never have too much depth and talent at those positions. The team started eight different players along the offensive line last year.
It remains to be seen how all of the pieces will fall into place as free agency gets underway. In the meantime, the Eagles and Peters will remain in communication. Given what he has meant to the organization for so long, that makes sense for both sides.
