BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jason Peters got the contract extension he wanted from the Philadelphia Eagles instead of the Bills.
Buffalo traded Peters to the Eagles on Friday rather than risk another offseason holdout from the disgruntled two-time Pro Bowl left tackle. The Eagles then signed Peters to a $53 million, four-year contract extension that would keep him in Philadelphia through 2014, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
Peters will earn $60 million over the next six seasons, including $25 million in guaranteed money, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, because terms weren’t released.
The Bills received the 28th overall pick — the second of the Eagles two first-round picks — and a fourth-round selection in next week’s NFL draft. Buffalo also gets an undisclosed pick in the 2010 draft.
“Jason Peters is the best left tackle in football,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “He is a powerful and athletic tackle and I have admired his play over the last few years on film. I have always believed that success in the NFL is derived from the strong play of the offensive and defensive lines. This offseason we have added two young, top-flight offensive linemen in Jason and Stacy Andrews.”
While the Bills lose their most talented offensive lineman, they rid themselves of a potential headache. Peters was threatening to repeat last year’s offseason holdout. He was scheduled to make a base salary of $7.2 million over the final two years of his contract.
By landing Peters, the Eagles fill an immediate hole on their offensive line after left tackle Tra Thomas signed with Jacksonville in free agency last month. Thomas, who protected Donovan McNabb’s blind side the last 10 seasons, didn’t get an offer from Philadelphia. The Eagles still have their own first-round pick, the 21st overall, and nine other picks. They acquired the 28th pick from Carolina in a draft-day trade last year.
The Eagles have revamped their offensive line since losing to Arizona in the NFC championship game. They signed Andrews, the former Cincinnati Bengals right tackle, early in free agency. Stacy Andrews, the brother of Eagles right guard Shawn Andrews, is expected to replace longtime starter Jon Runyan, an unrestricted free agent coming off knee surgery.
Without Peters, the Bills have another need to address in either free agency or the draft. Buffalo was already in the midst of revamping its offensive line after releasing left guard Derrick Dockery and electing not to re-sign centers Duke Preston and Melvin Fowler in February.
The Bills, coming off their third straight 7-9 season, have added Geoff Hangartner, who is expected to take over at center, and versatile journeyman Seth McKinney in free agency.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 328 pounds, Peters completed his sixth season last year and was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl. He was an undrafted rookie out of Arkansas and broke in with the Bills as a tight end.
After his rookie season, Peters was converted into an offensive lineman, and started 10 games at right tackle in 2005. He moved over to the left side midway through the following season.
By acquiring the 28th pick from Philadelphia, Buffalo will now have three of the first 42 selections in the draft, including the 11th overall. Aside from offensive line, the Bills have specific needs on defense, including adding a lineman or outside linebacker.
Right tackle Langston Walker is a candidate to take over for Peters. Walker filled in on the left side during Peters’ holdout last year, and in Buffalo’s opener.
Peters was fined by the Bills more than $600,000 for missing mandatory minicamp and all of training camp last year before reporting to the team a day before Buffalo’s season-opener. It’s not clear whether Peters paid those fines.
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