The future Hall-of-Fame left tackle of the Philadelphia Eagles is heading back to the NFC East.
Like Tommy McDonald and Harold Carmichael, it’s not for the team many expect.
Jason Peters has reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys on Monday morning, after numerous meetings with the franchise and the left tackle.
A Historic career with the Eagles
Peters is entering his 18th year in the NFL. The former undrafted free agent has carved out one of the most impressive careers in NFL history. The 40-year-old was a tight end for Arkansas but shifted over to tackle in his rookie season.
After five seasons with the Buffalo Bills, and two pro-bowls, Peters was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 for a first-round pick. Four All-Pro selections and five pro-bowls later, Peters had become one of the best left tackles in league history. Peters spent 11 years in Philadelphia, and was a part of the Super Bowl team in 2017, even though he was lost for the season in week eight.
Peters is a member of the Hall-of-Fame’s All-2010 team, but the later part of his career has been one of nagging injuries. The athletic tackle hasn’t played in all 16 games since the 2018 season and has totaled less than 95% of offensive snap counts per season since 2016.
Filling a position of need
For the Dallas Cowboys, bringing in the Texas resident wasn’t a matter of luxury, but of desperation. With Tyron Smith lost for most of the season due to a torn hamstring and broken knee, the Cowboys were extremely thin along the offensive line.
While Jason Peters reportedly gets prepared on the practice squad, the expectation is that first-round rookie Tyler Smith will make his first NFL start at left tackle Sunday night against Tampa Bay.
Having an 18-year NFL vet won’t hurt either to help with the rookie’s development.
Peters isn’t the All-Pro player he once was for the Eagles. He still however can help solidify an offensive line that has been decimated with early retirements and injuries over the last five years. As Dallas prepares for a title defense run of their NFC East crown, Eagles fans everywhere are left wondering about what the “bodyguard” will look like in blue and white, rather than the green he’s been in for over a decade.
It’s important to remember that Peters playing for the Cowboys does not, and should not damage his legacy in Philadelphia. Hall-of-Fame players like Harold Carmichael and Tommy McDonald actually ended their careers in Dallas but are still beloved in the city of Philadelphia.
Yet while his career will most certainly end up in Canton for Philadelphia, for one year at least, the Eagles former bodyguard is back in the NFC East.
Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire
