If it was all about the money, Dallas Goedert would be preparing to open training camp next week with a new organization.
But for Goedert, it’s about the banners. Some professional athletes might say or think that, but few follow through in the fashion that Goedert did with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
After star players like Geroge Kittle and Trey McBride reset the tight end market with monster 2025 extensions, Goedert was due for a sizable raise. His existing deal was short on both term and guaranteed money, and he had a nice postseason with 215 total receiving yards and one scintillating touchdown grab against the Green Bay Packers.
The Eagles, however, were in full cost-cutting mode to start the new league year, which left a Goedert extension off the table. He was the subject of trade rumors all the way through draft weekend, but nothing materialized, and he wound up taking less cash on a restructured one-year deal to stay with the Eagles.
Why take less money and give up a potential multi-year extension with a new team via trade? Goedert detailed his decision at Tight End University this week, and his reasoning was incredible:
“After we won and the opportunity to run it back again to see the banner drop, it just wouldn't have felt… it would have felt I was missing on a lot not being there to see all that stuff," Goedert told ESPN's NFL Live. "I got a lot of love for the city of Philadelphia, the ownership all the way to the cooks in the building. I got a great relationship with all of them. So, I figured for me it was best to work out a deal, so I could stay there and be with the people I find that are important — and try to win another one."
That’s a pretty wholesome response from Goedert, who sacrificed a lot in his reworked deal with Philly, when you consider his injury history. If he can stay on the field and be his usual productive self, Goedert should have no problem scoring another solid contract to carry him into his early 30s next year.
If this is Goedert’s last ride with the Eagles, it will be easy to appreciate how he closed his eight-year run with Philly out.
MORE EAGLES NEWS:
- Eagles predicted to cut ties with three of GM Howie Roseman’s 2024 draft picks
- Eagles $1.3 million free agent addition named serious ‘question mark’ to make Philly’s 53-man roster
- Eagles’ competition for last quarterback spot ‘not close’ with training camp looming
- Saints, Kellen Moore predicted to betray Tyler Shough for ‘most underrated’ quarterback