Jason Kelce's new baby isn't his only big news as he, other key Eagles redoing contracts to return

It has been quite a week for Jason Kelce.

The longtime Eagles center and his wife had a baby girl earlier this week. He also got the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

And, as Eagles fans have waited anxiously to hear, the center announced Friday on Instagram that he will return to the team for his 11th season, posting: "Man, the first week of March 2021 is one for the record books!!! Got to welcome Baby #2 Elliotte Ray Kelce into the world, got my first dose of the Moderna Vaccine ... and restructured my contract to ensure that I will continue to be the center for the Philadelphia Eagles ..."

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It was part of what's shaping up to be "Restructure Friday" for Eagles veterans.

By restructuring, Kelce will save the Eagles some money on their salary cap this season. The Eagles came into Friday about $32 million over the projected cap, meaning they'd have to trim at least that much by the start of the new league year on March 17.

Kelce was originally going to count $8.4 million against the cap, but will instead see much of that money in a signing bonus reportedly worth $9 million and potentially as much as $12 million. That enables the Eagles to spread the cap hit over the length of his contract through 2024.

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The Eagles are reportedly doing the same thing with cornerback Darius Slay, whom they signed to a three-year, $50 million extension after trading for him last spring. By restructuring, the Eagles will save $9.1 million on the cap for 2021, according to overthecap.com. 

The Eagles are reportedly in negotiations to restructure the contracts of right tackle Lane Johnson ($17.8 salary cap hit this season) and defensive end Brandon Graham ($17.9 million).

It's possible that other veterans such as defensive tackle Fletcher Cox ($23.9 million) could agree to restructure as well.

The more salary the Eagles cut under the salary cap threshold, believed to be about $180-$185 million, the more money they'll have to pursue free agents once the new league year begins March 17.

It should be noted that Kelce, Slay and the others are not taking a pay cut by restructuring. The Eagles are basically lowering the cap figure this year and making up for it with higher cap charges in future years.

Slay, for example, will have a salary cap charge of $6.6 million after restructuring for 2021. But for 2022 and 2023, the cap charges go up to $21.9 million and $22.9 million, respectively.

Keep in mind that the Eagles are in this predicament for 2021 because they are taking a $34 million hit for quarterback Carson Wentz, whom they traded to Indianapolis last month.

By trading Wentz the Eagles will get out of the remainder of his contract after this season, creating valuable salary cap space in future seasons. They're using some of that projected space for these restructures.

Kelce's return will help, along with that of Johnson, who missed most of last season with an ankle injury that required surgery; Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks, who missed the season with a torn Achilles; and left tackle Andre Dillard, who missed the season with a torn biceps.

There had been some doubt as to whether the 33-year-old Kelce would return. He has contemplated retirement in each of the last few offseasons.

This offseason, Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said the team is in "a real transition period" after firing head coach Doug Pederson coming off a 4-11-1 season, and replacing him with Nick Sirianni, a first-time head coach.

"I'm excited with a lot of the energy going around right now and, also, I didn't want to end my career on a season like we had last year," Kelce told the Eagles' website. "It wouldn't feel right. I want to leave the Eagles knowing that I left it in good hands."

The Eagles are expecting to move on from other veterans such as tight end Zach Ertz, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and defensive tackle Malik Jackson to further cut the salary cap. They have already released wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

But at least Kelce is back for one more season.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.