Philadelphia Eagles Must Trade Jalen Carter

Philadelphia Eagles Must Trade Jalen Carter

Philadelphia is in freefall. The team is in the midst of a 5-game losing streak, and there is now wide speculation that they will be sellers at the trade deadline. Carter’s play has been a big part of the frustration. In Monday’s 38-21 loss to Dallas, the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league played 59 of 68 snaps and finished with two assisted tackles and nothing else, with no sacks, solo tackles, QB hits, TFLs or pressures.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was blunt afterward: “He’s just got to get the mindset to where he’ll be consistent all the time.” Carter didn’t help the optics when he described his own play as not to his expectations and not to what the fans want, adding that it doesn’t really matter what they want. If Philadelphia is ready to reset, Carter would bring back more than anyone else on the roster. He is only 25, and he’s been dominant in spurts, tied for the team lead with 3 sacks to go along with 3 forced fumbles and 5 TFLs through seven games. The obstacle is his money.

Carter and the Eagles agreed this offseason to a four-year, $152 million extension, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history, and PhillyVoice listed him among players the Eagles realistically can’t trade because of their contracts, since moving them would carry an immediate financial burden.

Why the Vikings could trade for him

Minnesota is the kind of team that makes an all-in move. . Brian Flores’ aggressive defense would benefit from a disruptive interior rusher, and Carter would speed up the timeline for Minnesota’s young defensive line. FanSided noted the Vikings drafted Domonique Orange and Caleb Banks as their future, but adding Carter would ensure they stay in championship contention. The likely price is the hard part. FanSided also pointed out that the Vikings don’t really have any player they could give up in a deal that wouldn’t gash this roster, so they’d have to resort to draft capital.

Why the Jaguars Could Trade for Him

Jacksonville is winning now and has an obvious hole Carter would fill. The Jaguars have a two-game lead in the AFC South, and one outlet argued that with the trade deadline approaching, Jacksonville should be scouring the market for reinforcements for a potential Super Bowl run. Defensive tackle has been their weak spot for over a year. Last season, the Jaguars were reportedly in the market for Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline before Dallas outbid them.

The current room also leans on age, with 32-year-old Arik Armstead anchoring it. The Jaguars also know firsthand what Carter can do. Earlier this month in London, he had one of the best games of his career against the Jaguars, with a couple of strip sacks, three tackles for loss and a batted pass. Pairing that kind of interior disruption with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker on the edges could push Jacksonville closer to the AFC’s top tier.