The Eagles announced a contract extension today, but it probably wasn’t for a player you’d expect. Long snapper Rick Lovato made sure his long-term future is in the City of Brotherly Love on Tuesday, signing a four-year contract extension.
Lovato and kicker Jake Elliott signed one-year deals this past offseason, meaning that Elliott will still be a pending free agent if the Eagles don’t make a similar move, although it would be surprising if they don’t.
Rick Lovato joined the team toward the end in 2016, filling the void left by the amazing Jon Dorenbos. With a combined 47 regular season and post-season appearances, Lovato has helped both Elliott and punter Cameron Jonhston find their groove and set records.
Special teams is a crucial cog for any team, but Dave Fipp and the Eagles take tremendous pride in their efficiency and it shows. Elliott has started his 2019 campaign by kicking 13 consecutive field goals through the uprights, which is officially the longest streak to start the season by a kicker in franchise history. Elliott’s streak of 14 consecutive field goals is the 8th-longest in franchise history.
It will be interesting to see if Elliott or Johnston receive new deals next, but either way, this move is an important one for special teams stability, even though it’s one of the more subtle moves Roseman will make in the next 12 months.
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