Eagles were wise to get historic Jalen Carter extension out of the way

Eagles hand Jalen Carter mammoth extension on eve of training camp

Carter, selected by the Eagles at No. 9 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, finished second in Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year voting before receiving Pro Bowl honors the past two seasons (2024, 2025). He's been among the most productive defensive tackles since entering the league, ranking fifth among players at his position in total pressures (58) from 2023-25, per Stathead.

But Carter also experienced some setbacks last season, beginning before the first snap of Week 1, when he was ejected of Philadelphia's opener against the Dallas Cowboys after spitting on quarterback Dak Prescott. He also missed time due to shoulder surgeries, limiting him to a career-low 11 games.

After picking up his 2027 fifth-year option, the Eagles could have delayed an extension until next offseason, but that would have carries risk. Carter, 25, is only at the start of his prime, and with a monster 2026, Philly could have been looking at making him the first $40M defensive tackle.

It also crosses another contract negotiation off the list before All-Pro defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean become eligible to re-sign after this season.

The stability the contract extension provides on defense is also enormous for a team with a frustrating lack of offensive consistency. Head coach Nick Sirianni has fired two of his past three offensive coordinators after one season and is on his fifth in as many seasons entering 2026. Philadelphia went from No. 7 in points en route to a Super Bowl LIX victory to No. 19 a season ago, squandering a second consecutive top-five finish in scoring defense.

Carter has become a cornerstone along the defensive line, and the Eagles made the right call rewarding him with the historic deal. Waiting would have cost them even more.