Jason Peters reportedly wanted more money to play left tackle, and the Eagles obliged.

Schefter:

Peters was originally back on a three-million dollar deal to play right guard, but when Andre Dillard went out for the season with a biceps injury, Peters wanted left tackle compensation to play left tackle. Those guys get paid more than other linemen because they typically protect the quarterback’s blindside and occupy a much more important spot on the line.

That said, I’m a little conflicted over the Peters thing.

Part of me believes that he should have just made the switch to left tackle voluntarily, and done the Birds a solid. It was almost like, ‘Who the fuck does Peters think he is? Just be glad you have a job at this point in your career.’ Take a hometown discount, play one final year, and then head off into retirement and the Hall of Fame. It’s not like you were underpaid over the last 10+ seasons. You made $100 million playing left tackle for this team. Should the Eagles really been in a position where they’re held hostage by a 38-year-old?


But the other part of me gets it, truly. Peters didn’t sign up to play left tackle this year. He signed up to play right guard, and he was being compensated like a right guard. We would all be justified in asking for proper pay if we were given a new job before work even began. For instance, you wouldn’t sign up to be a Starbucks barista, making 11 dollars an hour, and then your boss asks you to be the store manager instead, but you’re still making only 11 bucks. You would be absolutely justified in asking for proper compensation based on the elevated role you are taking on.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. The Eagles are better with Jason Peters at left tackle vs. right guard, and if they had to pay him a little bit more money to do it, then no problemo.

EDIT –

Lane Johnson apparently helped facilitate this: