One day before Philadelphia’s 2021 season debut, the Eagles solidified one of their own for the future. According to Adam Caplan, the team came to terms with left tackle Jordan Mailata on a four-year $64 million contract extension.
CONFIDENCE IN PHILADELPHIA’S NEWEST LEFT TACKLE
As an Australian rugby player, Mailata was scouted by the NFL in 2018, choosing to play offensive tackle. Though he never played a single American football game, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Mailata with the 233rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
He was activated in 2020, making his debut early in the season after Jack Driscoll was injured. Shortly after, Mailata made his first career start replacing Jason Peters after another injury. In 15 total appearances, Pro Football Focus graded Mailata as a top-15 offensive tackle in the NFL from Week 11. Though he led the Eagles in sacks allowed among an offensive lineman (seven), he also led the offense in pass pro snaps with 502 (71.7 pass pro snaps per sack) — the third-best on the team.
Going into the offseason, head coach Nick Sirianni focused on competition between Mailata and previous starting left tackle (and first-round pick) Andre Dillard. Mailata proved his worth, showing growth in training camp. On August 31, the Eagles confirmed their final 53-man roster, with both Mailata and Dillard making the cut. However, Sirianni announced shortly after that Mailata would take the left tackle position.
With only this season remaining on Mailata’s contract, the Eagles were confident enough to invest in him. His four-year $64 million extension is worth up to $80 million with $40.85 million guaranteed.
Mailata will make his unveiling as starting left tackle tomorrow, September 12, against the Atlanta Falcons.
