Relationships have always been key to the Philadelphia Eagles, especially along the offensive line. For a while, there was no greater duo than Evan Mathis and Jason Peters. Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson took over shortly after, and everyone got along with Jason Kelce.
But the next budding relationship Philadelphia is watching grow is on the left side of the offensive line. Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson have become two of the very best at their position, and in turn, have become best of friends.
“I think we just have personalities that go really well together. We spend a lot of time in the locker room and on the field. It’s a nice friendship. I’m not complaining,” Dickerson said of the Australian tackle.
Jordan Mailata praised by Landon Dickerson
Mailata’s journey to the NFL has been well documented. The Aussie native has built an All-Pro level career after never playing a down of football before being drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round. But the NFL is just as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Being far away from his family can be hard on any player, especially for someone as boisterous as Mailata.
That’s what makes the relationship Dickerson has with him so special.
“This profession can get rough and we have lives outside of this. Sometimes you need someone to talk to. His family is 12 time zones away so he’s there for me and I’m there for him,” Dickerson explained.
The latest in a long line of Eagles bromances
The friendship between Mailata and Dickerson is just the latest example of strong relationships throughout the Eagles locker room. AJ Brown and Jalen Hurts are best friends off the field, and Dallas Goedert and Avonte Maddox were roommates at one point during their careers as well.
Those relationships are very important in building a successful football team. As Dickerson later describes it, the bond that comes with playing with your friends brings a little extra intensity when it matters most.
“It’s not just with me and Jordan. It’s every guy on this team…That’s just because when you get in those tough situations, those moments you need to count on someone and you give a little bit more because you are doing this not just for yourself but others,” Dickerson added. “It’s not just a team, it’s a family.”
It’s not all fun and games for the Eagles offensive line
As Dickerson enters his third season as an NFL player, he brings with him one of the most dominant stretches for a guard the Eagles have had in team history. He played in every game last season for the Birds while totaling an above-average 67.3 grade on Pro Football Focus. Due to his great year, Dickerson was named to his first pro-bowl last season.
But just because the 24-year-old has seen a lot of success, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have anything to work on going into another season. In his mind, Dickerson has plenty of stuff to improve on.
“A lot. Pass protection, run blocking, stunts, screens, vision. A lot of things. Everything’s important so you gotta work on them all.”
While Dickerson and Mailata’s friendship grows, and the success of his career continues, it’s clear that the Eagles are more than confident with their top offensive line pairings going into 2023.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
