Jason Peters will have a chance to play an 18th NFL season. The longtime Eagles left tackle agreed to terms with the Bears, according to his agency (on Twitter). Peters will join the Bears on a one-year deal, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
The nine-time Pro Bowler will join a Bears team that is transitioning at tackle. Chicago parted ways with both Charles Leno and Bobby Massie, its starting tackle tandem of the past five years, and has much younger cogs in place at those posts. A 39-year-old blocker will now be in this mix, with Matt Nagy confirming Saturday (via The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, on Twitter) that Peters will vie for the team’s left tackle job.
Peters said in January he planned to play in 2021, and he waited patiently as an opportunity came seven months later. The acclaimed tackle spent the past 12 seasons in Philadelphia, beginning his tenure blocking for Donovan McNabb and ending it with Carson Wentz. The Eagles have embarked on an interesting retooling effort, with a new coaching staff now in place.
While Peters re-signed with Philly last summer, he was not connected to another reunion with the team. This signing will, however, reunite Peters and Bears O-line coach Juan Castillo, who was Peters’ position coach in his first two seasons in Philly.
The Bears drafted Teven Jenkins in this year’s second round and signed former Broncos swing tackle/injury replacement Elijah Wilkinson this offseason. Jenkins is currently sidelined with a back injury. Peters obviously resides several tiers above each for accomplishments, though he certainly brings age- and injury-related questions. He suffered season-ending injuries midway through the 2017 and 2020 seasons, with a toe injury sidelining him last season. Peters last played 16 games in 2018.
That said, Pro Football Focus graded Peters as its No. 6 overall tackle in 2019. The former Bills UDFA has made 203 starts and made the Pro Bowl with both Buffalo and Philadelphia. The Bears, who now have a high-end quarterback investment to protect in Justin Fields, appear to be somewhat concerned about their tackle situation. They will see how much Peters has left in the tank.
Chicago’s Peters move carrying him into his 18th season will place the Hall of Fame candidate in rarefied air. Among non-quarterbacks and specialists, the Rams’ Andrew Whitworth is the NFL’s only other 39-year-old player on a roster. Only one player has started more than eight games at tackle at age 39 or older — Ray Brown, 2004 — so the two veterans will aim to further distinguish their careers this season.
Good thing the Bears got rid of the “old guys” and were trying to get younger at the position LOL. Is BOB running the show in Chitown now?
Thank goodness Pace isn’t grasping at straws to save his job (sarcasm intended).
Signing a Hall-of-Fame LT is not grasping at straws.
He may not be the player he was, but he may still have gas left in the tank.
As an Eagles fan, I can assure you he has nothing left in the tank. He’s good for a false start or holding penalty each game, that’s about it.
He was pretty bad last year. Then again, he was probably still recovering from that injury he had.
Is Peters better than what we currently have? The answer is likely yes, so what’s the risk? It’s not like there are a lot of other options right now.
Totally agree. It’s also telling on what they expect from Jenkins. I wouldn’t be surprised if a back surgery and PUP-Designation isn’t announced on Monday.
Oline is at a premium as several teams are looking for left tackles and there isn’t anyone else on the market. I like that Pace didn’t wait for Pittsburgh, Indy or someone else to sign Peters.
I don’t know if anyone is going to be cut before the season, or if anyone has the depth to trade away- so this was quite literally the best move Pace could have made at the position.
And Peters needs to get in shape; but I trust his ability. Even if it’s 6-10 games, FINE. It helps protect the franchise.
Peter’s is shot as a player. Totally lost his athleticism, good for a few false starts,couple sacks and a hold or two for good measure per quarter.
He will fit right in then.
I think this is a rare sensible move by the Bears. Getting younger at the tackle position in the offseason was fine because Leno/Massie weren’t that great anyway. Adding a guy like Peters for experience and depth is also pretty ideal. He can give you some quality snaps while the young guys get up to speed. I’m sure this is an outlier, not a trend, but kudos to Ryan Pace.
Well, it’s better than what they have now. Man, there has to be concern about Jenkins. Is this the same back issue that made him miss the last half of last season and the Bears just missed it?
It could be that Jenkins is not progressing well, but do remember that Wilkinson is currently stationed as their starting right tackle.
Don’t get me wrong, Wilkinson is a good swing man to have, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him blocking on the end of the line. While Peters isn’t what he once was, it can’t hurt to bring in some competition. If Wilkinson loses out, he becomes badly needed depth, given the line’s inability to stay healthy last season
Oh boy, must be desperate, just glad Philly finally cut bait. This guy was a beast and had a great career, but he’s finished.
This is a solid signing. They should have done it months ago.
If Peters can stay healthy, he’s arguably no worse than Leno, and it gives Jenkins a vet to help him learn.
That’s just it, he starts every game then pulls up lame and assumes his usual position in the blue sideline tent.
As an Eagles’ fan, I am grateful for being able to watch his HOF career. To Bears fans, this guy is cooked; this signing is truly an act of desperation.
As a bird fan who bleeds green I totally agree.
Link goes to wrong Jason Peters
The Bears have what might be the Most OFFENSIVE Staff in history. Matt Nagy Bozo, Bill Lazor less of a bozo then Nagy. QB Coach John Defillipo even a bigger bozo then Nagy. What do they all have in common they are all far to pass happy in calling plays. When you run less then 20 times in a game you are foolish, and when you attempt to pass around 60% of the time you are foolish. Lazor did a better job in the end calling plays last yr then Nagy did.