The saga is over — Jason Peters will be moving to left tackle.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson revealed the news during a press conference on Monday, stating that the decision was made when Peters came into his office that morning to tell him he would move from right guard back to his natural position of left tackle.
"Jason Peters came into my office this morning and he has decided to slide over to left tackle. Listen, this is the unselfishness; this is who he is," Pederson said. "When we talk about guys and we talk specifically about Jason Peters, this is who he is. He sacrifices not only his body, but for the football team. He did an outstanding job for us at right guard. It was valuable experience for him to play over there on the right side and get some interior work, but as he looks at not only where we are but where he is, he came in today and he was excited to move to left tackle and so I can announce that. I'm thrilled to death."
Peters' decision comes after a week of debate on whether the Eagles should pay Peters more money to move to left tackle, as he reportedly wanted, or keep him at right guard.
According to an NFL Network report, Peters did not have his deal re-done to make the move.
"I was just thrilled to death when he shared the news. I'm not going to get into the contract stuff," Pederson said. "That's not my area, but I was excited that when he shared the news that he was moving over to the left side and sliding over to the left side, I was thrilled. I mean, I couldn't have been happier, not only for him but I think for our team. It just shows a sign of great leadership by him and gave him a hug and said let's go.
Pederson would not commit to Matt Pryor as the starting right guard, but that is the likely move now with Peters at left tackle.
"At right guard, Pryor is an option there. We do have some other younger players. I mean, Herbig has been working in there. Driscoll has been working in there. We've got some options at the right guard position," Pederson said. "But with this move with Jason Peters, it really kind of solidifies that left side for us and really puts us in a little bit better position moving forward."
The news is obviously big, as the Eagles left tackle position was one of the biggest questions heading into the season.
They were practicing Pryor at left tackle, but he was struggling in practice and playing him at the position seemed like a risky decision, especially considering the strength of the Washington defensive line they will face in Week 1.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
