Eagles upgrade offensive line, sign Brandon Brooks to $40 million deal

The Eagles addressed a key area of need Wednesday when free agency opened, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Birds and former Texan Brandon Brooks had agreed to a five year, $40 million pact.

Brooks was drafted in the third round in 2012 and the 26-year-old has started 30 of 36 games as a pro, while battling a few injuries as well in Texas.

Brooks, at 6-foot-5 and 343pounds,will join the Eagles’ offensive line and is presumed to start at the guard position, between tackles Lane Johnson and Jason Peters and center Jason Kelce. The Birds will likely add at least one more starting-caliber lineman either through the draft or as free agency continues.

This is the third confirmed free agent signing, after quarterback Chase Daniel and safety Rodney McLeod were named by reports earlier Wednesday.