Instant analysis of the Eagles exercising the 5th-year option on DT Jordan Davis

The Eagles are keeping the Dawgs together, after Howie Roseman exercised defensive tackle Jordan Davis's fifth-year option. Davis is one of three players on Philadelphia's roster for whom Roseman had to decide whether to exercise their fifth-year option or allow them to test free agency.

Philadelphia had until May 1 to decide, and Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that Howie Roseman made the move to guarantee Davis' $12.9 million salary for 2026. Philadelphia previously declined the fifth-year option on Jahan Dotson, and still has a decision to make on former Texans offensive guard Kenyon Green.

With the move completed, we're looking at instant analysis of the decision.

What is the fifth-year option?

NFL rookies are given four-year contracts when they enter the league; first-round picks include a team option for a fifth season, which teams can choose to pick up or decline. Former Vikings first-round pick and current Eagles safety Lewis Cine is the only player of the 32 first-round picks ineligible for a fifth-year option after Minnesota released him before the 2024 season.

Roseman kept the Dawgs together

Relationships are crucial to success, and Philadelphia just won the Super Bowl with six former Georgia Bulldogs on the roster. Davis was the first after Howie Roseman traded up to acquire the All-American defensive tackle. Davis may never be an elite defensive tackle. Still, he has a tremendous relationship with Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Nakobe Dean, and keeping the band together should be crucial to maintaining continuity. The Eagles had six Georgia players from the 2020-22 defense before signing Lewis Cine late last season. Then the Birds signed Azeez Ojulari in free agency and drafted Smael Mondon Jr. over the weekend.

Davis still has more to prove

Davis has been a solid run-stopper, but he's never played 600 snaps in a season. In 2024, he logged 27 tackles (15 solo), including 1.0 sack and two passes defended, while playing in all 17 regular-season games. His production increased during the postseason, with six tackles (four solo), including two sacks and one pass defense, across four playoff appearances.

Davis is still a cheap signing

Milton Williams, a third-round pick by the Eagles, became the highest-paid player in New England Patriots history (four years, $104 million) without ever being named to a Pro Bowl.  With Philadelphia picking up his $12.938 million salary, Davis is now the 28th highest-paid player at his position, and he could fall down the list between now and the 2026 season.

Davis has to get better at rushing the passer

According to PFF, Davis has produced a sub-8.0% pass-rush win rate in the past two years, and his ten pressures are ranked 90th out of 219 eligible defensive tackles. During the playoffs, the production increased (two sacks, two tackles for loss in four playoff games). Better production on passing downs could allow Davis to become a three-down player, earning a more lucrative contract.

Eagles depth at defensive tackle

Philadelphia didn't draft a defensive tackle in the first round. Still, Robinson's addition could have meant that the Eagles were prepared to let Davis play out his final season and earn a lucrative contract. Now, Philadelphia will have Jalen Carter, Davis, Moro Ojomo, Thomas Booker, Gabe Hall, Byron Young, and the rookie out of Nebraska. Robinson (6-5, 288 pounds) played 60 games for the Cornhuskers, tallying 134 tackles and 12 sacks in five seasons after redshirting in 2019. He tied the school record for most games played. Robinson earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 after picking up 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Analysis: Eagles exercise the 5th-year option on DT Jordan Davis