The Philadelphia Eagles followed up the signing of guard Chance Warmack to a one-year deal by inking center/guard Stefen Wisniewski to a three-year contract on Friday. The move has led to further speculation that Jason Kelce could be on the move, although he had not been traded or released as of Friday morning.
Terms: 3 years, close to $9 million plus incentives (NFL Network)
ESPN 150 ranking: 83
Grade B: Understandably, one of the front office's top goals is protecting quarterback Carson Wentz, and they've taken measures to that end over the past couple of days. Wisniewski has started 83 games over his six-year career and can play both the guard and center positions. He began last year as a reserve but ended up starting six games at left guard and proved serviceable.
What it means: The Eagles are now pretty loaded in the interior. They still have last year's starters (guards Brandon Brooks and Allen Barbre and center Kelce) on the roster along with promising second-year guard/center Isaac Seumalo, Warmack and now Wisniewski. At the very least, it gives them options and creates competition to ensure that the best possible unit is on the field come opening day. Kelce carries a cap number of $6.2 million and would represent a $3.8 million savings if released, although there was no immediate indication that the team was definitively moving in that direction.
What’s the risk: Wisniewski can make up to close to $15 million if he hits his incentives, per reports. The Eagles entered free agency with little cap room but have been spenders to this point, signing Alshon Jeffery to a one-year, $14 million deal and giving contracts to receiver Torrey Smith and Warmack as well. You'd think they have to shed salary somewhere to make this all work. But investing in the offensive line is rarely a bad thing, and it should make Wentz's life easier in 2017.
