Eagles veteran believes his 'best years are ahead'

Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is entering his seventh season in the NFL but believes his best is yet to come after a conversation with tight end-turned-broadcaster Greg Olsen at the recent Tight End University event.

Goedert revealed that Olsen, who played for 14 seasons in the league, gave him some words of wisdom as he nears his 30s.

"He said his best years came after 31, 32, 33," Goedert said, via Jeff Neiburg of The Philadelphia Inquirer. "I still feel like the best years are ahead of me."

If that's the case, Goedert still has some time before his "best years" arrive. He won't turn 30 until January.

Another reason for Goedert's optimism is new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's tight end friendly offense.

"He's been doing a great job of just making the offense make sense and we kind of changed up the reads and different things like that throughout," Goedert added. "I'm really excited for how he uses the tight end and how he feels like they can be a big part of the offense and help win games."

That may be the case, but Goedert will be at best the No. 3 or 4 option in Philadelphia's offense with wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and newly signed running back Saquon Barkley seeing most of the opportunities.

Goedert sees a scenario where that isn't the case, however.

"I'm hoping that all year (defenses) double A.J., double Smitty, and they're worried about Saquon," Goedert joked. "So I can run free down the middle all game long."

The first thing Goedert must do to prove his best is to come is stay healthy. He missed three games in 2023 with a fractured forearm and has been forced to sit out short stints due to injury in previous years.

Goedert thinks he's in a great spot to do just that in 2024.

"I feel really good," Goedert concluded. "I love being in Philadelphia. I'm going to give them everything I've got and let the chips fall where they may fall. I still feel like the best years are ahead of me."

Goedert registered a career-high 59 catches for 592 yards and three touchdowns last season.