Oct 8, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters (71) in action against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
After a wildly successful 19-year career, Jason Peters is hanging up his cleats.
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider told reporters in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine that Peters, 43, plans to retire from his playing career and take a job in the Seahawks' front office.
New update.
We've hired Jason Peters as a veteran mentor in our front office. pic.twitter.com/TbWxv5fGuV
Peters' career path was unusual for a player who will likely be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played tight end at the University of Arkansas, and went undrafted in 2004 despite a 4th-round projection.
Peters was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buffalo Bills in '04, learned to play offensive tackle, and by 2006 he was starting every game on the Bills' O-line. He was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro for Buffalo in both 2007 and 2008.
In April, 2009, the Eagles traded multiple draft picks for Peters (including their first-rounder, 28th overall) and signed him to a six-year, $60 million deal. Peters would then anchor the Birds' left tackle position for over a decade.
The Andy Dalton hit against washington and talk about lack of reaction from teammates made me think back to this hit on Nick Foles.
Jason Peters was ready to throw hands all day.#Eagles pic.twitter.com/m1XieXb1Zx
Peters made the Pro Bowl every year with the Eagles between 2009 and 2016, with the exception of 2012, when he missed the entire season due to injury. He was named a second-team All-Pro two additional times, and a first-team All-Pro in both 2011 and 2013.
Nicknamed "The Bodyguard," Peters earned a Super Bowl ring with the 2017-18 Birds, though he didn't play in the game itself due to injury.
WHOLESOME: When #Eagles captain Lane Johnson ran out of the tunnel carrying Jason Peters jersey before the Super Bowl.
Peters was injured & could not play, so Philly went on to win the Chip that day.
Today, Jason retired after 21 seasons at the age of 43 pic.twitter.com/Wz3IRASCNP
Peters would play one season with each of Chicago, Dallas, and Seattle after leaving Philadelphia.
Howie Roseman on Jason Peters retirement. Calls him a first ballot Hall of Famer. #NFLCombine @AtoZSportsNFL pic.twitter.com/9y227GcfMD
"Elite athlete, elite teammate, world champion, in my mind, no doubt, first-ballot Hall of Fame," said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman when asked about Peters at the Combine. "Just an incredible career, and one of the many players that I don't think I'd be standing up here if it wasn't for the success of guys like that. I'm just really thankful for Jason Peters."
