Jordan Mailata signs major contract extension with Eagles

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RICH SCHULTZ - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata played his first start against the 49ers. So it should be sort of a reunion for him when the Eagles face San Fran Sunday in the home opener.

Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata has signed a four-year contract extension through 2025, the Eagles announced Saturday.

The former rugby player’s deal is worth $64 million, with $40.85 million guaranteed according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Though the Eagles typically don’t guarantee contracts for injury, it’s a sizable raise from the $850,00 Mailata is scheduled to earn in base pay this season.

The 24-year-old Mailata (6-8, 346) has evolved into a starting left tackle after a youth rugby career in Australia. Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland worked Mailata out at IMG headquarters in Florida before the 2018 draft. When Stoutland returned, he recommended the Eagles draft or sign Mailata, who hadn’t played a down of football and didn’t know how to put a helmet on.

“Jordan’s a freak of nature,” Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson said last week. “With him, it’s just going to be game reps. The more games he plays the better he’s going to be. He can be as good as he wants to be. There’s nobody in the NFL that’s been that big and that size that can move like that. He’s massive.”

Mailata and the Eagles take on the Atlanta Falcons Sunday at 1 o’clock at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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