3 Reasons Philadelphia Eagles must extend Halapoulivaati Vaitai

3. It’s not like left tackles grow on trees.

It’s painful to bring this up and, at this point, it’s probably along the lines of beating a dead horse, but think back to that Lane Johnson suspension in 2016 for a second.

Johnson’s absence meant that, as a rookie and in his first start, ‘Big V’ was forced into action to fill the void ’65’ left. He was embarrassed by Ryan Kerrigan of the Washington Redskins, and nothing that he’s done since then has seemingly ever been enough to erase that memory in the minds of most Eagles fans.

If he plays well, he rarely gets a mention. When he struggles, everyone immediately goes right back to that first start as a reference point. ’72’ deserves more than that though.

Yes, he’s better in the running game than he is at pass protection, but if Johnson or Dillard miss time in 2020 or if either one of them gets a few bumps and bruises and has to leave a game for a series or two, who do you see filling in on this roster?

Better yet, how many offensive linemen in the NFL do you know that can play both tackle spots and at guard if need be? Say what you want about ‘Big V’, but he held down the left tackle spot in Jason Peters’ absence during Philly’s Super Bowl run in 2017. They don’t win the Lombardi Trophy without him.

Criticize him if that’s your thing, but know this. When Johnson got hurt this past season, Dillard couldn’t play right tackle. It was ‘Big V’ who stepped in, and though it wasn’t always perfect, he was good enough. The Eagles don’t win the NFC East in 2019 without him. This is a no-brainer for everyone guys and gals. Those of us that believed he needed to be traded were wrong. Philly doesn’t need to break the bank, but extending him is the right idea, and it needs to happen sooner rather than later