For every handful of home runs that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman hits out of the proverbial park, there are certain to be a few foul balls along the way. One of the savvy general manager's promising swings he didn't quite connect appears to be the acquisition of nickel cornerback Michael Carter II.
Arriving from the Jets via trade last October, Carter was called upon sparingly - earning just a 20% snap count under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. When handed significant time in week 12 versus Dallas due to several injuries in the secondary.
Carter put forth a shaky performance before being relegated once more to the sidelines. And with Cooper DeJean firmly entrenched as the league's premier nickel cornerback, Carter's days in Philly could be numbered.
Should Michael Carter stay on the roster in 2026?
According to ESPN's Aaron Schatz, a fresh start on another roster for the nickel corner sounds like a fitting solution for both parties:
"Carter was near the top of the league in my coverage DVOA metric as a nickelback for the 2023 Jets. He sustained injuries in 2024, and New York traded him to the Eagles in the middle of last season. However, he is kind of wasted playing behind Cooper DeJean, and Carter barely saw the field for defensive snaps after the Eagles acquired him in October. Carter might still be able to be the lead nickel on another team, but I'm guessing the Eagles would not get much for him in the trade market."
Carter can still be a solid defensive piece, excels in the run game, and profiles well as a quality nickel corner. With DeJean having that spot locked down, though, the chance to start fresh elsewhere makes perfect sense. Furthermore, cutting Carter would free up $8.7 million for Roseman and the team, providing additional justification for parting ways with the Duke alum.
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Still just 26 years old, Carter could very well recapture the playmaking ability he showcased as a New York Jet. It just doesn't appear likely to occur in Philadelphia.