There’s no such thing as a quiet week in the NFL, especially if you’re the Philadelphia Eagles. The team have announced a huge contract extension for DT Tim Jernigan, keeping him with the franchise through 2021. What does this mean for the Eagles?
#Eagles have signed DT Tim Jernigan to a four-year contract extension through the 2021 season.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/mjYcOzvbiZ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 9, 2017
Eagles signed DT Timmy Jernigan to a 4-year extension, $48 million extension that includes $26 million fully guaranteed, per source. Here he is: pic.twitter.com/y4G3WtJjrD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2017
The future is terrifying:
It feels like only yesterday that Fletcher Cox was signed to his earth-shattering extension and now the Eagles have found the missing piece. Jernigan has been a wrecking ball this season, amassing 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks through 9 games. A crucial cog in stopping the run, Jernigan has been instrumental in the ruthless play of the Philadelphia front four.
Knowing that Fletcher Cox is already signed through 2023 and both Vinny Curry and Derek Barnett have long futures with the team, the announcement is absolutely terrifying if you’re an offensive coordinator. Jernigan has slotted in perfectly to this wide-nine scheme and the thought of Cox and Jernigan teaming up for the next four years should send shivers down the spine of any offensive lineman.
Salary cap:
Jernigan was acquired late on in the offseason proceedings with just one year left on his contract. As we all know, the Eagles aren’t exactly blessed with cap space and losing the former Baltimore Raven was always a possibility. After such a dominant opening nine games, it became clear that the team simply cannot afford to lose the presence of the 6’2, 295 lbs lineman. The reported $48M extension is no doubt doing to dig deep into the Eagles bank account…one where their estimated $7M in space won’t be enough to retain some of the big name free agents.
It will be very interesting to see what happens to the likes of Alshon Jeffery, LeGarrette Blount, Patrick Robinson and Chris Long after this season now that Jernigan has already been paid. By striking quickly, the Eagles have eliminated the possibility of some free agency temptations, but there are only so many plates they will be able to spin.
Culture:
Jernigan fits exactly what the Eagles are trying to do. Hard-nosed, gritty, aggressive football that punishes running backs and opposing quarterbacks. The sentiment that has been echoed since the start of this rebuild had been to “build from the ball out” on both sides. With two of the league’s most intimidating interior lineman now retained for the next four years…it’s safe to say that the Eagles
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
