Eagles sign Dallas Goedert to 4-year contract, and there's only one NFL tight end making more

For Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert, the four-year contract extension he signed on Friday was an affirmation that he is one of the top tight ends in the NFL.

And it's clear that the Eagles believe that as well.

Goedert's contract is reportedly worth as much as $59 million, with $35.7 million guaranteed. The average annual value of Goedert's contract is $14.8 million per season beginning in 2022, second only to the 49ers' George Kittle, whose AAV is $15 million.

Goedert's guaranteed money is third to Kittle ($40 million) and Baltimore's Mark Andrews ($37.6 million).

"I said it a while ago that I believe really highly in myself," Goedert said Friday after signing the contract. "I believe I’m one of the best tight ends in the league. I’m always going to have that mindset.

"But to be paid up there, I feel like the respect the team showed me, it’s just really cool that they see the hard work that I put in day in and day out to believe that I deserved and earned it."

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The signing prevents Goedert, the Eagles' second-round pick in 2018, from becoming a free agent after this season. It was clear the Eagles were heading in this direction as far back as the summer of 2020 when they didn't extend Zach Ertz's contract.

The Eagles traded Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 15 in exchange for rookie cornerback Tay Gowan and the Cardinals' fifth-round pick.

But it was also becoming clear to both Goedert and the Eagles that it would take a big contract in order to keep Goedert from free agency.

Goedert admitted as much Friday when asked about how the deal he signed compared with the contract terms discussed during the summer when talks had broken off.

"Obviously, it’s changed a little bit," Goedert said. "It went up."

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman knew this would happen, too, after trading Ertz. He said the move would free up Goedert up to prove he can be the No. 1 tight end.

"And so, getting (Goedert) in a role where it's not just sharing time and he's the guy because, in terms of our bargaining power, there's going to be no discount on Dallas Goedert," Roseman said.

"So, we know that. We want to get as much information and give him as much opportunity to take over that, and see him in that role as much as possible, as opposed to guessing on it."

Goedert has 29 catches for 429 yards with two touchdowns this season, ranking second on the team in both categories, behind only DeVonta Smith.

But Goedert has been more productive since Ertz was traded. Before the trade, Goedert had 15 catches for 216 yards in the five games he played in. He has 14 catches for 213 yards in four games since.

"(Goedert is) the type of guy you want to succeed and to sign contracts like this, and to keep in the building, "Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "He does a lot of things really well. I think that's what's special about Dallas [Goedert].

"He's not (just) a receiving tight end, he's not (just) a blocking tight end. He can do both. There aren't a lot of guys like that, who are really exceptional at being able to create mismatches in the pass game and also get their job done in the run game."

Goedert suffered a concussion in the Eagles' 30-13 win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday. But he had practiced all week and said he'll be ready to play this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Obviously, Goedert's contract establishes him as one of the Eagles' core players for the future. That includes fellow 2018 draft classmates in fourth-round defensive end Josh Sweat and seventh-round left tackle Jordan Mailata, both of whom signed extensions earlier this season.

Mailata's was worth as much as $64 million for four years while Sweat signed for as much as $42 million over three years.

The Eagles had only five draft picks that year, but all five have become starters in the NFL. That also includes cornerback Avonte Maddox (fourth round) and offensive lineman Matt Pryor (sixth round), who's now with the Indianapolis Colts.

Goedert has lived with Maddox ever since their rookie year, and Maddox recently said that Goedert is now entrusted to buy dinners "for the next 30 years."

"Golly, I feel like I’ve been paying for Avonte’s food for the last four years, so another 30 ain’t going to hurt it," Goedert said with a laugh.

Injury update

DE Derek Barnett didn't practice Friday after suffering a neck injury and is listed as questionable for the game Sunday. Sirianni wouldn't divulge how the injury occurred or how serious it is.

The only player who won't play Sunday is G/C Jack Anderson, who hasn't been on the game-day roster all season. LB Davion Taylor (knee) is listed as questionable. 

Goedert (concussion) has to be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can play, but he was listed as a full participant in practice Friday.

The Eagles have until Saturday afternoon to activate RB Miles Sanders from injured reserve. Sanders, who has missed the minimum of three games, has practiced all week in some capacity.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.