Jason Peters will remain with Eagles in 2017, per report

Left tackle Jason Peters isn’t going anywhere.

There’s been speculation since the Philadelphia Eagles‘ offseason began that Jason Peters could potentially be released. The 35-year-old tackle is scheduled to make $9.95 million in base salary next season, which would eat up a lot of the Eagles’ already small amount of cap space. The Eagles even asked Peters to take a pay cut, but it seems that won’t be happening seeing that Peters is already underpaid for how he’s performed.

But as it turns out, Peters likely won’t be going anywhere this offseason, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Despite his age, Peters was easily one of the Eagles’ best offensive linemen in 2016. While he did lead the NFL in false start penalties, he protected Carson Wentz as well as anyone on the offensive line.

If the Eagles decided to cut Peters, they’d save $9.7 million in cap space. But would cutting Peters be worth the extra money? Losing the 13-year veteran would create a massive hole at left tackle. While it’s assumed that right tackle Lane Johnson would fill that void, that would require 2016 fifth-round draft selection Halapoulivaati Vaitai to take over at right tackle. Vaitai started six games at right tackle while Johnson was suspended for PED violations last season. In those six games, the Eagles went 2-4 and Wentz was sacked 14 times.

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Peters is more than just a good offensive tackle. He’s become the leader of the Eagles’ locker room and is one of the more respected players in the NFL. Playing 13 years in the NFL isn’t easy and Peters remains one of the top performers at his position.

Though Peters’ contract is expensive, the Eagles will still be able to clear a large amount of cap space by releasing players such as Ryan Mathews and Connor Barwin. Peters isn’t the kind of player the Eagles can just cut and it’s encouraging that they realize that.