One day after solidifying their top tight end as a big part of the Eagles future, another tight end got some similar job security.
The Eagles and Brent Celek agreed to a new contract, a three-year deal worth $13 million with $6 million guaranteed. Celek was scheduled to earn $5 million in the 2016, the final year of his contract.
Celek, who turned 31 on Monday, will enter his 10th NFL season, all with the Eagles, in 2016.
The Eagles drafted Celek in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. The 6'4", 255-pound tight end out of Cincinnati was selected with the 162nd overall pick.
Celek has been among the most durable players for the Eagles, playing in all but one game in his nine-year career. Celek had 27 catches for 398 yards and three touchdowns in 2015.
Celek has 30 career touchdowns in his nine seasons, totalling 4,713 receiving yards and 371 catches. Celek also has 26 catches for 251 yards and three touchdowns in six career postseason games.
In recent years, Celek has been more of a blocking tight end, helping the Eagles run game succeed under LeSean McCoy and more recently Darren Sproles. Celek also plays a key role on special teams.
The new contract for Celek comes one day after the Eagles signed Zach Ertz to a five-year extension worth $42.5 million. Ertz was featured as the primary receiving tight end in 2015, but has formed a nice tandem with Celek over his three seasons in the NFL.
Ertz spoke about what Celek has meant to his career in his press conference on Monday.
"Brent Celek has been unbelievable," Ertz said. "I owe a lot of this deal to him, because of the player that I’m able to emulate each and every day during practice. The way he approaches the game both on and off the field is something that I never take for granted."
With Ertz and now Celek locked up to new contracts, the Eagles continue to focus on finalizing some other deals. There are rumblings around the team that would indicate that they are closing in on deals for Lane Johnson and Vinny Curry, among other players. The Eagles have taken the first few days of the offseason, following the hiring of Doug Pederson as head coach, to handle in house business before tackling the Draft and free agency.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
