Expectations were sky high when the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Carter with the ninth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but has he fully fulfilled the roaring buzz? Absolutely.
And as the former Georgia star pass rusher heads into his third season in Philadelphia, the bar has been set even higher, thanks to Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Fangio eyes even more growth for Carter in year three
It was just a few days ago that the father of a current Eagles player, Jeremiah Trotter, claimed that some inside the building say Carter doesn't even "know" how to play on the interior defensive line.
While Fangio could've taken that as a knock on his coaching or the player-- even his work ethic.. he actually agreed with the sentiment.
"I agree with the point that he's trying to make," Fangio said, "I do think the good news about Jalen is twofold. One, he played very well for us last year, and two, he can still improve a lot."
Vic Fangio says he agrees with Jeremiah Trotter that Jalen Carter (in a complimentary way) doesn’t really know yet how to truly play DT
— Quay L.Jones🦅 #FlyEaglesFly SBLIX CHAMPIONS!! (@QuayLJones3) June 3, 2025
Says sky is the limit and Carter can get even better: #EAGLES pic.twitter.com/nanxgeJds9
The fact that he said that about a third-year defensive tackle who was in the running for Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 — and was named both a Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro — is absolutely stunning.
In 2024, Carter produced big-time for Philly, putting up 53 total pressures, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. His snaps (830), which ranked fifth in the NFL, was discussed as a potential issue as Carter continues to get older.
The game that gets brought up a lot -- the NFC Divisional Round, when Carter played 68 of the Eagles' 70 defensive snaps, claiming two sacks.
Jalen Carter played 68 of 70 defensive snaps and was double-teamed on 26 of his 49 pass rushes against the Rams.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 19, 2025
Carter forced a key third down sack on the Rams’ final drive, then forced a pressure on fourth down to clinch the game.#LARvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/ZitGdVZjvr
Read more: Forgotten Eagles DB surprisingly in the conversation at heated position in OTAs
With Carter still being just 24, Fangio doesn't find any issues having him on the field as much as he was.
"In Jalen’s case, the two plays he had at the end of the Rams game, which everybody has alluded to many times, those were his 68th and 69th snaps in that game.." Fangio said, "He’s still a young pup."
If Carter can continue playing this much at such a high level, watch out, NFL fans, because the Jalen Carter Defensive Player of the Year train is approaching, and it's not going to slow down once it's full steam ahead.