Despite all the speculation, it sounds like Alshon Jeffery is staying put. In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, head coach Doug Pederson said that the wide receiver is “a big part” of the Eagles’ offense.
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“All our veteran players, to be part of this virtual offseason like they have, I have been impressed and Alshon is of those guys,” head coach Pederson said (via Evan Macy of the Philly Voice). “The dialogue he’s had in the receivers room, the way he converses with some of the younger players…”
That’s all very promising for the Birds, given the drama they’ve had with the veteran in the past Last fall, Jeffery was accused of anonymously ripping into quarterback Carson Wentz and other teammates through the media. For his part, Jeffery has denied any involvement in that bombshell story.
Frankly, the Eagles don’t have much flexibility when it comes to Jeffery. Thanks to a restructuring of his deal in September, they’d be looking at a $26MM cap hit if they wanted to cut him. Jeffery is now guaranteed a base salary of $11.5MM for 2020. In total, he’s got upwards of ~$55MM guaranteed on his four-year deal.
Jeffery’s 2019 – capped with a trip to the injured reserve list – ended with 43 catches for 430 yards and four touchdowns. It was a step down from his 65 catches for 843 yards and six touchdowns in 2018 and his 11.4 yards per catch average last year marks a career low.
Thank god. I was probably one of the few that wanted him to stay, and it looks like that’ll be the case.
i did too
For the few weeks hell be healthy for this season, sure. After the season, he’ll be an easy cut to save money against the cap.
Jeffery is a “big part” of the team is code for…. we can’t afford to cut this guy and nobody nobody will kick us a late round pick for him either.
Now if they could only learn his to pronounce his name correctly on TV
Big part of that payroll too
A championship buys Pederson more time as HC but clearly the Eagles are fading quickly from the status they held just a few years ago. Howie still seems to be a strong supporter but that could change if loses outnumber wins.
I disagree with your comment. The Iggles are not clearly fading at all, let alone quickly. Where did you get that? Uncross your eyes and stick to your Cowboys.
Let me do that journalist editorial thing:
Eagles Head Coach: Alshon Jeffery Is “Big Part” Of Team[‘s Salary Cap]