Philadephia Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson addressed the media Tuesday afternoon, fresh off signing a contract extension that made him the highest-paid guard in NFL history.
Drafted by the Eagles with the 37th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, expectations were both high and tempered as Dickerson came into the draft with a lengthy history of lower body injuries, including a torn ACL he was still recovering from. Three seasons, 47 games, and two Pro Bowls later and it’s clear that the decision to draft Dickerson has been nothing but an absolute success.
On Monday, March 11, just before the NFL’s free agency legal tampering period, it was announced that the Eagles and Dickerson had reached an agreement on a four-year extension worth up to $87 million with $50 million guaranteed. It’s quite the reward for quite the player who has only exceeded expectations since coming into the league.
What Eagles’ Dickerson had to say following historic extension
Dickerson, now the richest guard in NFL history, spoke glowingly of the opportunity to remain in the only NFL home he’s known in his young career:
“I mean, super excited. To me, it just reiterates how much the coaches and how we and Mr. Lurie want to keep me around here, and I absolutely love being here, and I really didn’t plan on going anywhere else. Yeah, I mean, it just shows a lot of respect and how much trust they have in me to continue to grow as a player and develop and do good things from the steam in the city”
Dickerson was also asked about the leadership opportunity ahead of him with the retirement of longtime Eagles center Jason Kelce:
“I mean, I think moving forward, obviously, going into my fourth year now I think that I can absolutely step up and have more of that leadership role. I know it’s, not to say impossible, but nearly impossible to replace somebody like Jason Kelce. What he did for not only his teammates, but the city and everybody around him. There’s only one of him I think there will probably ever there only be one of him. So, you know, big shoes to fill, but, absolutely, I’m gonna embrace whatever role comes to me and whatever this team needs.”
When asked about the possibility of making the switch to center to replace Kelce, Dickerson left that decision up to the coaching staff but spoke glowingly off the team’s projected center for the upcoming season, Cam Jurgens:
“…really that’s that’s not my call. Right now is the offseason I know coaches are here meeting but, OTAs rolls around and Cam Jurgens I think is a phenomenal player. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. Extremely talented, extremely smart.
I think there are a lot of good options in that offensive line room of guys that can move to center and I think really it’s thing of once we get to OTAs and training and start hammering out what guys are gonna fit best where and, my philosophy has always been, [you] put the best five guys on the field, no matter where they’re gonna play. Granted, I’m not gonna change Lane Johnson or Jordan, so the best three guys maybe.“
Dickerson was also asked about the Eagles’ blockbuster addition of star running back Saquon Barkley:
“Obviously, it’s extremely exciting to add a talented guy like that to the roster. I’ve said this, I think, for the past three years, but you know, every team has a one-year expiration on it, and bringing in a guy like Saquon, I think, for us, is adding to the amount of talent that we have, and I’m really excited to see what he does.”
Additionally, Dickerson was asked about if and how Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland factored into his decision to sign an extension in Philadelphia:
Absolutely, Stouts [was] a big factor. I mean, I think probably the best offensive line coach in the NFL right now. You see what he’s been able to do with any guy that’s come in here. There’s no replacing Coach Stout. He’s been here for a long time, and I don’t think he’s planning on going anywhere either. So, it worked out for both of us.
Finally, when asked about what he plans to buy now that he’s the riches guard in NFL history, the Eagles’ down-to-earth lineman simply said:
“I mean, I have a financial advisor for a reason. I don’t know; I may go and get a new lawnmower.”
An offseason that started with plenty of uncertainty for the Philadelphia Eagles is now much more secure, with Dickerson in tow through the 2028 season. As Dickerson said, there will only be one Jason Kelce, but with this extension, the Eagles seem to have retained their next franchise offensive lineman.
