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Going into training camp, the Falcons made it clear they wanted to get long-term deals done for Jake Matthews and Grady Jarrett. Both are under contract for just 2018 and are promising young talents with bright futures.
It’s always looked like Matthews would be the first to get a deal, and the extension that Taylor Lewan just received is the new bar that Jake and his agent will be aiming for.
Titans giving OT Taylor Lewan a 5-year, $80 million extension that includes $50 million guaranteed, source tells ESPN. Richest OL deal in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2018
For some reason, this has been a hotly debated topic with fans split on the idea of paying Jake Matthews. While many will argue that Lewan has made it to the Pro-Bowl, others will point out how difficult it is to acquire and keep quality left tackles in the NFL.
Case in point: The Panthers gladly paid Matt Kalil 55M to be their new left tackle. Good luck finding a football fan that thinks Kalil is even a mediocre talent at this point. While Matthews has not turned out to be the next Joe Thomas that fans wanted (which is a ridiculous expectation), he has gotten better every year in the league and is a quality player.
What are your thoughts on the new market for paying a left tackle in the NFL?