The Philadelphia Eagles decided to pick up the fifth-year option on edge rusher Nolan Smith, but he was not the only one who got that decision made.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that defensive tackle Jalen Carter is also getting his fifth-year option picked up. While Smith will receive $13.7 million in 2027, Carter will receive $27.1 million. the second-highest in the 2023 NFL Draft class.
Despite only playing in 11 games last season, Carter made his second straight Pro Bowl appearance. He racked up 33 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, seven pass deflections, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and a field goal blocked.
Jalen Carter is sticking around for the 2027 season with Eagles
There is zero surrpise to the move as Carter was expected to have his fifth-year option picked up. During the offseason, Carter was attached to trade rumors, but none of those ever happened as it never seemed to pick up traction.
Now the bigger question is going to be what the Eagles do with Carter beyond the 2027 season. Many believe a contract extension is in the near future with him that could be market-shattering for a defensive tackle. he is most likely looking at something north of $30 million.
Carter was not the only defensive tackle on the Eagles to get a contract extension in the offseason. Jordan Davis also landed a three-year, $78 million contract, making him the richest nose tackle in NFL history. While Davis' contract extension is longer than one year, Carter still got his extra year added to his contract.
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There is a lot that can happen before the season, but the next big news with Carter could be a brand new contract that might break an NFL record for a defnesive tackle contract.