Jordan Mailata’s contract extension is a big deal, but it’s not the reason you think it is

But the overarching message here is more than Mailata, more than the singular move. It is about the philosophy the Philadelphia Eagles employ as they continue to build a roster that offers sustainability. It is never a one-year focus for the Eagles, for Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie, for Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman, for the men and women in the Eagles’ Football Operations Department who want to contend every single season.

Being a Philadelphia Eagle means you’re going to have a fair chance to compete for playing time, you’re going to get top-shelf treatment and coaching in every way, and if you get out what you put in and play at a high level, you’re going to be rewarded. Like Dickerson. Like Elliott. Like Mailata. Like many others before them.

“First and foremost, to even be able to play at one club, I’ve always wanted to be a player that’s played for one team and one team only for their career, and there are so few who get to do that,” Mailata said. “To be a part of history and to be a part of the club and the culture that we’re trying to continue to build is an honor.”

The Eagles’ work is not finished here. They surely have other players they’d like to lock up for many years to come and that is part of an ongoing and certainly very important process. The team’s ability to keep roster stability, retain its very best players, and at the same time attack free agency with so much aggressiveness speaks to a great game plan, it speaks to Lurie’s willingness to give the go-ahead with confidence on how to play things at this time of the year, and it says a lot about players wanting to remain in Philadelphia.

They love being Eagles. They love the football culture in the city and around the world, where Eagles fans pour their heart and soul into the team.

It all makes for a great long-range picture for the Eagles.

Once upon a time, it was very difficult for players to play their entire career with one team, but that isn’t the case at all right now. Former tight end Brent Celek ended his career as an Eagle following the Super Bowl LVII win in 2018. This year it’s been Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. Defensive end Brandon Graham is lacing up his cleats for a 15th Eagles season. Right tackle Lane Johnson has said repeatedly that he wants to end his career here. Dickerson and Mailata are fixtures.

You get the point. The Eagles are building something special once again, and…