Eagles Extend DT Jalen Carter

This pact makes the 25-year-old Carter the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. He ranks first at his position in total value, average annual value ($38MM) and guarantees. The Titans’ Jeffery Simmons ($35.2MM) and the Chiefs’ Chris Jones ($31.75MM) had been the only defensive tackles earning over $30MM per annum. Simmons just signed what was then a record-setting extension last month, but Carter has quickly surpassed his three-year, $105.8MM accord that includes $100MM in guarantees.

On the heels of their Super Bowl-winning 2024 season, the Eagles lost defensive tackle Milton Williams to the Patriots’ four-year, $104MM offer in free agency. Over a year later, they have doled out two massive contracts to homegrown D-linemen. They previously locked up Jordan Davis on a three-year, $78MM extension back in March. Carter and Davis, former Georgia teammates, are in position to continue anchoring the Eagles’ D-line for the foreseeable future.

The Eagles and general manager Howie Roseman drafted Carter ninth overall in 2023, though they had to weigh off-field concerns before signing off on the pick. A few months before the draft, Carter was involved in a fatal street racing crash in Georgia. Former college teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in the crash. Carter, who pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing, was sentenced to 12 months’ probation, a $1K fine and community service.

While Carter has avoided off-field issues during his pro career, he incurred two fines for hitting opponents in 2024. He also spit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the teams’ season opener last year, resulting in a pre-game ejection.

On the field, Carter has been among the game’s most formidable defenders at times. The 6-foot-3, 314-pounder only started in one game in his first season, but he finished second to the Texans’ Will Anderson in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after totaling 33 tackles, nine QB hits, eight TFL, six sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 games. He also tallied the league’s 15th-most pressures (50), per Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94 WIP.

Carter took on a starting role in his second season, another 16-game campaign, and helped the Eagles to a championship. While leading Philadelphia’s D-linemen in snaps (831) and ranking third in the league in hurries (75), Carter notched 42 tackles, 16 QB hits, 12 TFL, six pass deflections, 4.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. Carter, who added another nine tackles, three PDs and two sacks in four playoff games, earned a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors.

Thanks in large part to Carter, the Eagles’ title-winning defense finished first in the league in yards and second in scoring. Carter was not at full strength last year, though, and the unit took a step back. The Eagles were still above average in yards (13th) and points (fifth), but they were not the same dominant group. Dealing with injuries to both shoulders, Carter played just 11 games. He managed decent production with 46 hurries (17th in the league), 33 tackles, 12 QB hits, seven PDs, five TFL and three sacks. While Carter went to another Pro Bowl, Pro Football Focus ranked him a shockingly low 80th among 127 qualified interior D-linemen. Davis (15th) and Moro Ojomo (28th) easily outperformed Carter in PFF’s estimation.

Carter underwent procedures on his shoulders last season, but this gargantuan investment makes it clear Roseman does not see it as a long-term concern. Roseman is likely counting on a healthy Carter to get even better in 2026 as the Eagles try to rebound from a disappointing end to last season. Philadelphia won 11 games and earned its second straight NFC East title in 2025, but it immediately exited the playoffs in a 23-19 home wild-card round loss to San Francisco.