Philadelphia Eagles extend Alshon Jeffery to four-year extension

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is keeping his top receiver four more years

Alshon Jeffery took a major bet on himself by signing a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and that bet has paid off.

The Eagles leading receiver has signed a four-year deal worth $52 million Saturday with the leading team in the NFL going into week 12. Jeffery is tied with tight end Zach Ertz for the team lead, and third in the league, in receiving touchdowns with seven despite having just 43 receptions.

Jeffery’s contract will have $27 million guaranteed and the deal can ultimately be worth $56 million with additional incentives. The 27-year-old’s guaranteed money is the eighth-most for a wide receiver, passing Emanuel Sanders and sitting directly behind T.Y. Hilton.

The overall value of Jeffery’s deal also puts him eighth amongst wide receivers behind A.J. Green and passing Pierre Garcon.

Jeffery had spent five years with the Chicago Bears amassing 26 receiving touchdowns and two 1,000 yard seasons. Injuries and a suspension delivered a major hit to his value this offseason, leading Philadelphia to signing him to the one-year “prove-it” deal.

Having Jeffery locked in for the next four years gives MVP candidate Carson Wentz a true number one receiver through his rookie contract. Philadelphia is making the most of having their quarterback carrying such a low cap-hit; they recently gave defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan a contract extension and are slated to do the same with Brandon Graham and Nigel Bradham.

Players are looking at this Eagles team and the opportunity to play with a budding star such as Wentz and signing on the dotted line when they can. Philadelphia won’t have much cap space next offseason barring a restructure of Jason Peters’ deal, but they’re clearly a team on the rise.

Next: What will the Browns do with the number one pick?

The 10-1 Eagles begin a major stretch this weekend with a trip to Seattle for Sunday Night Football followed by the first showdown between first-overall pick Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams.