With teams around the league continue to extend the contracts of their 2014 first-round picks, it was only a matter of time until the Eagles did the same with Nelson Agholor. That moment came to pass on Monday evening, according to an official announcement from the team.
#Eagles have exercised WR Nelson Agholor’s fifth-year option.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/eOHHrWrEVY
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 30, 2018
After a tumultuous first two season’s in the NFL, many were quick to write off one of USC’s cleanest ever route-runners but with a new wide receiver coach in town, things would soon change.
In his third NFL season, Agholor didn’t just shine, but in many cases he stole the spotlight. After exploding for a huge 58-yard touchdown in the season opener in Washington, the team’s new slot receiver would rekindle the form he displayed during his days at the position for USC, recording 768 yards and 8 touchdowns in the regular season. Not only that, but he accounted for a stunning 36 first downs and 9 receptions of 20+ yards. Philadelphia’s biggest underdog changed his stars in 2017.
Replacing Jordan Matthews in the slot, Agholor found a new home over the middle and showed the same levels of explosiveness as he did during his days at USC. A pivotal part of the Eagles offense, it was only fitting that the Eagles exercise his fifth year option in order to prolong the inevitable extension and milk the rookie contract while the player is red hot.
In the space of a year, Agholor has gone from a receiver who at one point negated a Zach Ertz touchdown due to not being lined up properly and suffering with mental mistakes, to a receiver who trusts in his phenomenal route-running ability and the confidence the team place in him.
Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
