Philadelphia Eagles ask Jason Peters to take pay cut, per report

Jason Peters is scheduled to make a lot of money in 2017. To avoid cutting him, the Philadelphia Eagles have reportedly asked him to take a pay cut.

Estimated to have just over $7 million in cap space by OverTheCap.com, the Philadelphia Eagles are getting set to begin their salary cap purge very soon. Several expensive players such as defensive end Connor Barwin, running back Ryan Mathews and center Jason Kelce could all be released within the next few weeks.

Another player who could be sent packing is long-time Eagles left tackle Jason Peters. The NFL’s reigning leader in false start penalties is 35 years old and deep into the twilight of his career. Peters is scheduled to make $10.45 million in 2017, a number the financially troubled Eagles would like to minimize. According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan, the team has approached the 13-year pro about taking a pay cut.

Despite his age, Peters is still an asset on the Eagles’ offensive line. While cutting Peters would save the Eagles $9.7 million, it would create a hole on the offensive line that would be difficult to fill.

Salary cap expert and former agent Joel Corry told ESPN that while cutting Peters would be easy, it may not be the wise move.

“You can ask [Peters] nicely to consider taking a pay cut. If he doesn’t, what are you going to do? You’re not going to release him and create another hole. You’d save $9.7 million on the cap, but would the ends justify the means with him? You really need him at this point.”

If the Eagles do cut Peters, the logical solution would be to move right tackle Lane Johnson to left tackle. In that scenario, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, selected in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, would then fill Johnson’s shoes at right tackle. Vaitai started in six games at right tackle while Johnson was suspended for PED violations this season. In those six games, the Eagles went 2-4 and Carson Wentz was sacked 14 times.