Jalen Hurts doesn't have to worry about his blindside until 2029

It's long been part of the Philadelphia Eagles' business model. Andy Reid laid the blueprint. Howie Roseman perfected it. Philly will always build through the trenches. Ask any Birds fan, and they'll tell you.

Regardless of what we classify as 'team needs', the Eagles are always scouring the NFL's landscape and the collegiate ranks for trench warriors. In 2018, they took it a step further. They found an Australian by way of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program and added him to the nest.

Jordan Mailata, a former seventh-rounder, was the 233rd-overall selection of the 2018 NFL Draft. We've come a long way from the days when he arrived at the NovaCare Complex and didn't know how to put his helmet on.

Adam Schefter reports he'll be in Philly for quite some time. Phily's leadership structure has been busy. A few hours after Avonte Maddox was reacquired, our left tackle signed his extension.

Jordan Mailata's extension ensures Jalen Hurts' blindside is protected for years to come.

We've gotten spoiled in Philly, haven't we? The Eagles are home to the NFL's best offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland. A future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Lane Johnson, is now the elder statesman. He takes up residency at right tackle. Jason Kelce's retirement certainly left some huge cleats to fill, but Cam Jurgens is a worthy successor. And, there's young talent like Tyler Steen.

The left side of the O-line is also set until at least 2028 now. Jalen Hurts can enjoy some restful sleep. Landon Dickerson signed his extension on March 11th. That will pay him $84 million over four years. That also made him the highest-paid guard in the game at signing, and the best part is he got his lawnmower.

We pondered who might be next in line for an extension recently. We didn't mention Mailata at the time, but we knew he'd be fine. Now, he cashes in less than a month later.

Like Dickerson, the man with the angelic voice can kick his feet up and be assured he'll be calling the City of Brotherly Love home for quite some time. Eagles fans can kick their feet up as well.

Priority number one on every NFL team is keeping the quarterback upright. The 2024 Eagles will only go as far as Jalen Hurts can take them. Mailata and Dickerson's extensions were no brainers. When the games begin to count again, the Eagles will again field the game's best O-line.

Read more Eagles news from Inside The Iggles