Carter\u2019s situation is going to be one of the most fascinating roster storylines across the NFL this summer. I\u2019m not putting my money on him getting more money in Philly.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t![\"Jalen](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27425918-scaled.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) looks on during the third quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia Eagles and defensive tackle Jalen Carter appear headed toward a divorce.<\/p>\n
Carter, one of the best defensive tackles in football and still only 25 years old, is eligible for a contract extension that could blow past $30 million per year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Eagles, built to compete for Super Bowls under GM Howie Roseman, may not be willing to pay the price to keep the former Georgia Bulldog in Philly. AND\u2026 a solution may just be around the corner.<\/p>\n
ESPN\u2019s annual Executive, Coach, and Scout poll ranked Carter as the No. 3 defensive tackle<\/a> in the NFL for the second consecutive summer, behind only Leonard Williams, Jeffery Simmons (and Chris Jones a year ago). Carter has totaled 13.5 sacks across his first three seasons with the Eagles and earned two Pro Bowl selections.\u00a0<\/p>\n He\u2019s an elite talent at his position by any measure.<\/p>\n So why would the Eagles consider moving on?<\/p>\n Carter\u2019s contract, off-field concerns cloud his Eagles future<\/p>\n The financial reality is straightforward. The Titans just handed Simmons<\/a> the first $100 million fully guaranteed contract extension ever given to a defensive tackle, averaging over $35 million per season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Simmons is ranked one spot ahead of Carter on ESPN\u2019s poll. Carter\u2019s extension would land in that neighborhood, and the Eagles have a roster full of homegrown players who need to get paid.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been well-documented that Carter\u2019s future in Philly is in question. He missed six games in 2025 with an injury, playing just 11 games and recording three sacks and five tackles for loss (though he batted down six passes, tied for the most among defensive tackles).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCarter is one of the toughest evaluations among the top 10,\u201d ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler wrote. \u201cHe is immensely talented and has made two Pro Bowls. All but one of his votes were in the top seven. But his pass-rush prowess is modest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a problem,\u201d a veteran NFL defensive coach told Fowler. \u201cA game-wrecker. You feel his presence out there consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the contract math, there are rumblings about off-field concerns that could push the Eagles away from a long-term commitment. The odds of Carter being re-signed and extended in Philadelphia are considered very low, and it would be an upset if the Eagles kept him long-term, in my opinion.<\/p>\n Greg Cosell connects the 2027 NFL Draft\u2019s loaded D-tackle class to Carter\u2019s situation<\/p>\n NFL Films Analyst Greg Cosell, on The Install Podcast with Buck Reising<\/a> on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, was discussing the strength of the 2027 NFL Draft\u2019s defensive line class when he, unprompted, brought up Carter and the Eagles.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a really, really good group, and that\u2019s also going to impact the NFL,\u201d Cosell said. \u201cThink of a team like the Eagles that have Jalen Carter. Carter\u2019s been injured a lot the last couple years. I don\u2019t know anything about his off-the-field stuff. I know he\u2019s had issues. Does a team like the Eagles not pay Jalen Carter? Because now they look at this defensive tackle group coming up in 2027 and feel like, \u2018We can get a guy.\u2019 And we know that Jalen Carter at his best is probably a top 3 or 4 tackle in the league. But these are what teams think about as they all look ahead to probably 2 drafts down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n If the Eagles believe they can draft a defensive tackle late in the 2027 first round and pair that rookie deal with the cap savings from not extending Carter, the math (and logic) starts to favor a trade.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n What would a Jalen Carter trade return?<\/p>\n ESPN\u2019s Bill Barnwell recently graded NFL trade tiers<\/a>, charting which players on each roster are worth first-round picks. Barnwell valued Carter and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell as the Eagles\u2019 two most valuable trade assets, each worth two first-round picks.\u00a0<\/p>\n That\u2019s a higher trade value than premium position players like quarterback Jalen Hurts, offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who Barnwell charted as worth a first-round pick and more. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis and cornerback Cooper DeJean were valued at one first-round pick each.<\/p>\n Two first-round picks for a 25-year-old, top-three defensive tackle would be a significant haul for Philadelphia. It would also give the Eagles the draft capital to reload along the defensive line with a cheaper, younger player from what Cosell describes as one of the deepest defensive tackle classes in recent draft cycles.<\/p>\n Carter\u2019s situation is going to be one of the most fascinating roster storylines across the NFL this season. I\u2019m not putting my money on him getting more money in Philly.<\/p>\n \t\t\t Philadelphia Eagles News<\/p>\n![\"Jan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27984970-200x200.jpg\")
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