This kind of contract – one that reportedly pays Landon Dickerson more than any guard in the history of the NFL – is one that follows a familiar trail for the Philadelphia Eagles: Invest in the trenches. And with Dickerson's contract that he signed on Tuesday and keeps him an Eagle through the 2028 season, Philadelphia has invested in a two-time Pro Bowl player just hitting the core years of his continued dominance.
"It just shows a lot of respect, how much trust they have in me to continue to grow as a player, develop and do good things for this team and this City," Dickerson said at his press conference at the NovaCare Complex following putting his pen to paper. "Going into my fourth year now, I think that I can absolutely step up and have more of that leadership role. The extension really shows the respect and the potential that the coaches and Howie (Roseman) think that I have as a player. That only makes me want to continually try to get better, keep improving on my game day after day."
A second-round draft pick in 2021, Dickerson has made steady and substantial progress at the guard position – first stepping in for an injured Brandon Brooks in Week 2 of his rookie season and then transitioning over to the left side and making the first of two Pro Bowls in the team's march to Super Bowl LVII in 2022.
Dickerson is a powerful force on the left side of the line, teaming with his best friend, left tackle Jordan Mailata. Dickerson – and the entire offensive line – will have to adjust to a new center with Jason Kelce retired, and the confidence in Cam Jurgens is high should he move from right guard to center to replace Kelce – but Dickerson is preparing for anything and everything.
The 6-foot-6, 332-pound Dickerson was projected by many observers as the heir to Kelce when he was drafted out of Alabama, but his play at left guard has been so outstanding that the Eagles want to keep him there as a thriving player on the rise.
Dickerson chose to sign his deal now, rather than play on the final year of his rookie contract, because he recognized how special it is to be an Eagle and to play in Philadelphia and its great sports culture.
"Being here has been a tremendous bright spot in my life," Dickerson said. "We (his family) really didn't plan on being anywhere else. Guys, when they leave this organization and go somewhere else and how much they miss everything about this place. For me, I just didn't want there to be any question about how much I wanted to be here, stick around here, hopefully be here my entire career.
"The way the City and the fans feed off this team and vise versa. It's a very demanding place to play and a lot of people aren't up for that task, but for me I absolutely love it. There is a high expectation every season. I just love the passion that the City and everybody has here."
