The Eagles rewarded defensive tackle Jordan Davis after his breakout season last year. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Hawks have signed Davis to a three-year contract extension worth $78 million.
The extension makes Davis the highest-paid nose tackle in NFL history. Davis will play next season with a fifth-year option and is scheduled to become a free agent before signing an extension next year.
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Davis has become a key player on the defense under Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. When former Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams signed with the New England Patriots last offseason, Davis took on more of a full-time role and excelled. Last season, the 26-year-old finished with 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 11.5 run runs and six pass punters, all career highs.
In Davis’ first three seasons, he played primarily an early role, helping the Eagles primarily against the run and being replaced when the team needed to rush the passer.
Davis was selected by the University of Georgia with the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His athleticism showed up during the Georgia defense and the NFL combine, where he ran a 4.78 40-yard dash and had a 10-foot-3 broad jump at 6-foot-6, 341 pounds. Davis has since dropped to 336 pounds and looks more agile.
With the addition of Davis, the Hawks will focus on re-signing Jalen Carter. Carter and Davis have played together since their days at Georgia. Davis is more of a running back, while Carter offers more upside as a pass rusher.
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With Carter drafted in 2023, he will likely have at least two more seasons on his contract if the Eagles pick up his fifth-year option before deciding whether to re-sign him.
Davis will likely play more of a pass-rushing role next season, with pass rushers such as Jaylan Phillips, Joshua Uche, Aziz Ojulari and Ogbo Okonkwo set to become free agents. Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, who played with Davis and Carter at Georgia, will also enter free agency.
The Eagles were 11-6 on the season but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round.
