Eagles extend Lane Johnson; Brent Celek talks of his new deal

WHEN HE WAS taken fourth overall by the Eagles in 2013, Lane Johnson had a feeling the franchise saw the left tackle position in his future.

He'd played it in college, and, with a talented but aging Jason Peters at left tackle, it seemed he could be a natural successor.

With the news Friday that the Eagles signed Johnson, 26, to a new six-year deal that locks him up through 2021, his move to the left side of the offensive line could be nearing.

"I think that's what they drafted me for," Johnson said Friday. "Obviously, Jason Peters is one of the best tackles of all time, one of them, him and (Seattle's) Walter Jones, in my opinion. So having him here, he's taught me so much. I'm just going to continue to (learn) until the time comes."

Johnson had one year left on his rookie deal, which would have paid him about $3.1 million during the 2016 season.

Rather than wait and become a free agent after the upcoming season, Johnson and his agent got a deal done as quickly as possible.

"It's kind of the style here; we like to get stuff done early and get locked in," Johnson said. "So I was happy the deal came along. It's obviously something you don't want to pass up.

"I want to be here the rest of my career. I've got a lot of guys in this locker room that are like my brothers, like family to me. This is where I want to be."

The new deal reportedly includes $35 million in guaranteed money. The exact breakdown of his deal was unclear.

What is clear is that the Eagles' newly restructured front office, including Howie Roseman, who drafted Johnson three years ago out of Oklahoma, views the Texas native as a cornerstone of the Doug Pederson era.

Excluding four games he missed because of a suspension at the start of the 2014 season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances, Johnson has started all 44 games of his career, including twice at left tackle this season when Peters, 34, was unable to play because of injury.

Johnson said he prides himself on the durability he's shown over the first few years of his career. In fact, he said, he tries to follow in the footsteps of a former Eagles offensive lineman.

"One guy I've always heard stories about was (Jon) Runyan, whenever he was here," Johnson said. "Just a guy that was probably the meanest guy around, tough, and a guy that cracked his tailbone and had to get a shot before every game and still (played). He kind of set the mentality of what it's like to be here, and I kind of try to look up to him and emulate what he does."

As Johnson slides into that Runyan-like role, he said he sees this new deal, and a new era in the locker room, as a good time to assert his leadership.

"I like to lead by example," Johnson said. "Sometimes, I let my mouth get the best of me. But I speak from the heart. From now on, I'll lead by example and help the younger guys along the way."

Brent Celek was at home with his family, celebrating his 31st birthday, when his agent called with good news.

Celek would be sticking around Philadelphia until 2018.

Speaking Friday for the first time since the Eagles announced a new, three-year deal for Celek, worth $13 million, the veteran tight end said he was excited to be able to say he will retire with the only NFL team he's ever played for.

"This is one of the greatest days of my life, to be able to say I'm going to be a Philadelphia Eagle for life," Celek said. "It's a dream come true."

The 2016 season will mark a decade with the Eagles for the Cincinnati native, who ranks second in franchise history among tight ends in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

Despite a notable decline in production in the last few years, Celek still caught 27 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns this past season.

He said he wasn't concerned about getting a new deal with the organization, which made it clear to him they wanted him back.

But when that phone call made it official, he took a moment to reflect, and to set a personal mission with his remaining time.

"We need to win a championship here," Celek said. "We need to cap it off."

On Twitter: @AdamWHermann