The Philadelphia Eagles have shown their belief in defensive tackle Jordan Davis by utilizing his fifth-year contract option, signing him for over $12.9 million for the 2026 season. This move shows how much the team believes in Davis as a cornerstone of their defense. Davis has started every game over the past two seasons and is dominant on the interior line. Let’s see why the Eagles are betting big on him.
Why the Eagles Trust Jordan Davis Long Term: SEC Power Turned Into NFL Value
At the University of Georgia, Jordan Davis transformed from a raw talent into an SEC juggernaut. His freshman year in 2018 set the tone: appearing in 11 games, starting four, he notched 25 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: The #Eagles are picking up the 5th year option on DT Jordan Davis’ rookie contract, per @Schultz_Report pic.twitter.com/sDCIvWV1HR
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) April 30, 2025
This performance secured him spots on the SEC All-Freshman team and, as a freshman all-American, is evidence of how exceptional he is as a player. Over the next three years, his growth was steady but explosive.
In his peak in the 2021 senior season, he claimed the Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player in college football), the Outland Trophy (top interior lineman), and unanimous All-American honors.
His senior year stats don’t capture his impact: 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. He combined rare size with agility at 6’6” and over 330 pounds, making him a matchup to be reckoned with. This college’s exceptional dominance is why the Eagles selected him 13th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Davis’s Development and Potential
Davis’s path to NFL stardom wasn’t without hurdles. Starting football late meant he had to catch up fast, a challenge he met head-on at Georgia. His physical gifts can’t be denied. His 4.78-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine (third-fastest ever for someone his size) and 10’3” broad jump (a believed record for a 300-pounder) stunned scouts.
But it was his refinement of those tools that set him apart. Under Georgia’s coaching, he honed his technique, turning raw power into disciplined disruption.
Since joining the Eagles, Davis has delivered. He’s tallied 63 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections in two seasons. Take the Eagles’ 2022 Super Bowl run: Davis’s two sacks and capacity to suppress rival ground games were pivotal.
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The Eagles’ decision to lock in Jordan Davis through 2026 goes far beyond a contract move, it’s a statement.
They see a player whose Georgia exploits laid the foundation for NFL stardom, a defensive anchor who’s only scratching the surface of his potential. Looking ahead, the outlook is promising. If Davis refines his pass-rushing skills, he could evolve from a very good player to an elite one.
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