NFL: Bills agree to trade Pro Bowl LT Peters to Eagles
JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Bills have agreed to trade left tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles after failing to negotiate a new contract with the disgruntled two-time Pro Bowl selection.
The basics of the deal were agreed to Friday, a person familiar with the trade talks told The Associated Press. The Eagles are attempting to work out undisclosed final details before completing the trade, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
In exchange, the Bills will receive the 28th pick — the second of the Eagles two first-round picks — and an undisclosed second-day selection in next week's NFL draft.
While the Bills lose their most talented offensive lineman, they rid themselves of a potential headache. Peters was threatening to repeat last year's offseason holdout. Scheduled to make a base salary of $7.2 million over the final two years of his contract, Peters is considered underpaid for a player at such a high-profile position.
Peters traveled to Philadelphia to meet with Eagles executives on Friday. The Eagles are expected to attempt to negotiate a new deal with the player.
By landing Peters, the Eagles fill an immediate hole on their offensive line after left tackle Tra Thomas signed with Jacksonville in free agency last month.
Without Peters, the Bills have another need to address in either free agency or the draft. Buffalo was already in the midst of revamping its offensive line after releasing left guard Derrick Dockery and centers Duke Preston and Melvin Fowler in February.
The Bills, coming off their third straight 7-9 season, have added Geoff Hangartner, who is expected to take over at center, and versatile journeyman Seth McKinney in free agency.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 328 pounds, Peters completed his sixth season last year and was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl. He was an undrafted rookie out of Arkansas and broke in with the Bills as a tight end.
After his rookie season, Peters was converted into an offensive lineman, and started 10 games at right tackle in 2005. He moved over to the left side midway through the following season.
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AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report from Philadelphia.