Jason Peters will have the opportunity to put on another uniform, as the Philadelphia Eagles announced on Thursday that they’ll let the Hall of Fame left tackle test free agency.
Eagles brass made it clear that they’ll remain in communication with the nine-time Pro Bowler as “each side continues to evaluate its options.”
Here are four takeaways from the news that Peters will hit the open market.
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1. Peters can still play
Over the past three seasons, Peters has been consistent while losing a step. Over the past 3 seasons, Peters has an 82.6 grade from PFF grade (12th among OTs) while playing 2,163 regular season snaps along the way.
Peters only allowed 21 pressures in 562 pass-blocking attempts last season, placing him ninth among 57 qualifying tackles.
2. Eagles want Dillard to start
After a week of stories that indicated that Dillard may not be ready to start full-time at left tackle, allowing Peters to test free agency indicates that the Eagles need the former Cougars star to live up to his first-round billing.
If Peters returns, it’ll be because of the Eagles view that Dillard isn’t a better option at left tackle for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
3. Howie Roseman addressing his attachment issues
The Eagles GM spoke after the season about having a problem with “attachment” issues when it comes to moving on from one of his guys.
Roseman made it clear that the Eagles would get younger and it appears that the process has started.
4. Peters will have suitors on the open market
Even at 38 years of age, Peters was still the No. 10 highest-graded offensive linemen in football last season and one of the big reasons that the Eagles had the highest-graded offensive line in the NFL.
