Eagles pick up Jordan Davis’ contract option for 2026 season
Davis, the 25-year-old defensive tackle, is now set to make $12.9 million in 2026.
The Eagles exercised the fifth-year option on Jordan Davis’ rookie contract, a decision that will keep the defensive tackle in the fold for two more seasons.
Davis, 25, is now set to make $12.9 million fully guaranteed in 2026, according to online database Over The Cap. That figure averages the salaries of the third- through 25th-highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL over the past five seasons.
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The Eagles had until May 1 to decide on Davis’ option, but ultimately chose Wednesday to bet on his continued development at the heart of the defensive front. The former Georgia standout played just 37% of the team’s defensive snaps last season — down from 45% the year before — and has struggled with conditioning at times during his career.
Davis did make some noticeable strides as a pass rusher during the Eagles’ run to Super Bowl LIX, logging sacks in the NFC championship game and the Eagles’ 40-22 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs to double his sack output during the regular season.
Even with those flashes, Davis’ role in last year‘s defensive-tackle rotation was mostly limited to early downs. The 6-foot-6, 336-pound nose tackle has proved to be stingy against the run and has started 39 games over the last three years as a result, but often comes off the field for passing situations in favor of more effective interior rushers.
Earlier this offseason, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman alluded to Davis’ postseason performances when explaining why the team still had optimism that Davis could reach the high ceiling that made him a top-15 pick.
“When you watch these guys perform through the whole body of the season,” Roseman said at the annual league meetings last month, “... you just see a guy who really elevated in the postseason. Really counting on him continuing to develop. That’s what this is, all of us, in all of our professions, you continue to develop and continue to get better, and that’s what I think we‘re seeing from Jordan.”
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By securing Davis through 2026 and selecting Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Robinson in the fourth round of last week’s draft, the Eagles are starting to rebuild the interior line rotation around Jalen Carter. The group lost Milton Williams, a key member of last year‘s rotation, to free agency and likely will lean on Davis, along with third-year lineman Moro Ojomo, to take on an expanded role.
After last week’s NFL draft, Roseman said he had “tremendous confidence and faith in Jordan Davis.”
Roseman drafted Davis 13th overall in 2022, trading up two spots, and notably ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, to secure the Georgia prospect. The Ravens ended up taking All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton with the 14th pick instead.
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Shortly after making the pick, Roseman expressed belief in Davis’ rare blend of size and athleticism eventually translating into pass-rush production, something that has yet to happen. Davis has just 3½ sacks in three seasons, although Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio did acknowledge Davis was improving as a rusher late last year.
“Jordan is a better run defender than he is a pass rusher at this moment in time,” Fangio said in December. “[I] do think he’s getting better.”
The Eagles also declined the fifth-year option on wide receiver Jahan Dotson’s rookie deal leading into last week’s NFL draft. Acquired in a trade with the Washington Commanders before the start of last season, Dotson would have been due $16.8 million but instead will be a free agent next offseason.