Eagles Give Tobin Two-Year Deal

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) — Although a roster spot is far from guaranteed, Eagles offensive lineman Matt Tobin has signed a new two-year deal with the team, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan.

Earlier this offseason Tobin signed his one-year tender as a restricted free agent, worth just over $1.6 million. The new deal actually lowers Tobin's base salary in 2016, which in theory should make it easier for the Eagles to carry him on the roster.

Tobin, a University of Iowa product originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013, has played in 30 games with the Eagles, starting 20 of them, including a career-high 13 last season.

He was given an opportunity to win the right guard spot in training camp last August but lost out to Andrew Gardner. That didn’t last long, however, because Gardner went down with a season-ending foot injury in Week 3 and the 6-foot-6, 290-pound Tobin started the final 13 games at the position, struggling for the most part, particularly as a pass blocker.

Of the 81 NFL guards rated by ProFootballFocus.com last season, Tobin came in at No. 64 but as a pass blocker, only two — Buffalo’s John Miller and Kansas City’s Jah Reid — rated out worse.

Philadelphia signed Brandon Brooks in free agency to be their starting right guard in 2016 and the competition for the starting spot next to Jason Peters on he left side is likely between Allen Barbre, free-agent signee Stefen Wisniewski and rookie third round draft pick Isaac Seumalo.

That leaves Tobin fitting in as a versatile backup who can play every position up and down the line except center. The numbers game is tough, though, because you also have to account for rookie fifth-round pick Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who will get every opportunity to lock down the team's swing tackle spot.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973ESPN.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen