PHILADELPHIA − If all things were equal, the Eagles would have already signed defensive tackle Jalen Carter to a contract extension, probably in the $35-40 million range in average annual value, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle and among the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL.
But all things aren’t equal.
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There’s no disputing that Carter is a generational talent, someone the Eagles would want to keep for his entire NFL career after they selected Carter in the first round (No. 9 overall) in the 2023 NFL draft.
Carter became eligible for a second contract when the new league year began in March. But so far, there’s no new deal.
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That makes Carter No. 2 on our countdown of the Eagles’ eight most intriguing players heading into the start of training camp on July 28.
Sure, the Eagles bought themselves an extra year by picking up the fifth-year option on Carter’s rookie contract, worth about $27 million for the 2027 season.
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But that only goes so far. The longer the Eagles wait, the more Carter’s value can go up, especially as he gets closer to free agency beginning in March, 2028. If he’s not signed by then, the Eagles can trade him, place the franchise tag on him for the 2028 season, or just let him go in free agency.
Maybe Carter wants to wait, especially if he has two strong seasons back-to-back, showing that he’s fully recovered from a shoulder injury that impacted him for much of last season. That would clearly put him in range for a record-breaking contract for his position, whether it’s with the Eagles or someone else.
Even last season, Carter was still selected to the Pro Bowl, despite playing just 11 games with just 3 sacks. It was clear that Carter could barely lift his arms above his head during the latter part of the season.
And maybe the Eagles want to wait before making an investment in Carter as a franchise player worthy of a mega-contract.
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Besides, that could set off a chain reaction on the Eagles’ salary cap. The Eagles most definitely want to extend cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Both could get second contracts that would put them at the top of the salary scale at their positions.
In addition, there’s fellow defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, who’s entering the last season of his rookie contract, and edge rusher Jalyx Hunt, who will be in the last year of his rookie deal in 2027.
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If the Eagles extend Carter, they most likely won’t be able to afford Ojomo, who was picked in the seventh round in 2023.
If the choice is simply about talent, it’s an easy decision to keep Carter over Ojomo. But if the Eagles pay Ojomo instead of Carter, then there’s more money to go around to the others, plus add free agents, and so on.
Then again, Carter changes the dynamic on the defensive line because opponents have to double-team him. That enables edge rushers and fellow DTs to take advantage of going 1-on-1 against opposing offensive linemen.
Plus, Carter rarely comes off the field, often playing at least 90% of the defensive snaps, a rarity for defensive tackles.
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“I think we all know the type of player Jalen Carter is, the caliber of player, the potential he has,” Davis said in May. “It’s a new year. We all have to go out there and work and prove it … I’m glad he’s healthy. I’m glad he’s getting his reps. I’m glad he’s getting his rest. But we have to focus on the main thing, and that’s us. I know he’ll go out there and ball, but we all have to make sure to do our part.”That we’re still talking about Carter’s untapped potential as he enters Year 4 is a sign that something has been holding him back.
That was evident last season as soon as training camp started when Carter sat out some early practices with his shoulder issues. It took him a while to get into shape. Then he got kicked out of the season opener before the first play when he spit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Carter played through his shoulder injury for most of the season before getting “procedures” done on both shoulders (the Eagles did not call it surgery). He missed four of the final five regular-season games before returning for the playoff loss to the 49ers.
Then Carter went about attacking the offseason, with videos showing him doing shoulder presses.
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“I think his shoulders are fine. He’s had a good offseason of lifting,” Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said on May 21. “I think he started that (lifting) earlier than normal for him, and you can see the difference in that regard. I think he’s in a better spot now than he was.”
If that continues, Carter will also be in a much better spot financially. It just might not be with the Eagles − beyond 2027.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the “Eye On The Eagles” newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles face big decision on Jalen Carter’s future in Philly. No. 2 most intriguing
