The Philadelphia Eagles have built up quite the defense over the years through the draft with a ton of young talent.
All of that has led the team to decide who to keep and who to let walk. So far, Jordan Davis has been one big name with a long-term contract extension this offseason, and defenders like Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith have had their fifth-year options picked up. A reader asked Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer who he believes the next Eagles defender to get an extension will be.
"Paying Jalen Carter is a risk, and the Eagles obviously know it and will be cautious moving forward. He just became eligible for a second contract, and if Philly is going to give him one before this season starts, my guess is there’ll be plenty of protections in it. Jordan Davis is taking care of, of course, Jalyx Hunt, I’d say, it’s still in the “We’ll see” category.
Then, there are the two guys that I think are much closer to slam dunks: corner Quinyon Mitchell and nickel Cooper DeJean. Both are extension-eligible next year, with 2027 looming as DeJean’s contract year. The Eagles do have a 2028 option on Mitchell. But they’ve been aggressive about paying core players in the past, and both of these guys are just that, so my guess is, by this time next year, each of them has a new contract."
Who should be the next Eagles defender to get a contract extension?
Carter is only a risk because he had a down season due to heel and shoulder injuries he sustained during the year, which cost him six games, despite still being voted in as a Pro Bowler for the second straight season. It may be better to wait to see how he does in 2026 and then spend the next offseason working out a long-term deal with him, which will be a market-altering deal for defensive tackles.
Mitchell and DeJean are lumped together because the Eagles can't sign one to an extension without the other. This feels like a way safer move, as this should happen next offseason unless something drastic happens.
Next behind those three are really the two edge rushers in Smith and Jalyx Hunt. After the legal issues and 2025 struggles for Smith, Hunt actually looks like the safer choice for an extension because his versatility gives him an edge over Smith. If Smith can return to form in 2024, then he should be looking at an extension as well if the Eagles can afford him at that point.
Read more: Nick Sirianni keeps it close to the vest on burning Jalen Carter question
There are going to be some near-impossible decisions for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, as he has many young players who will need new deals, so it's going to be a coin toss over who gets one first, despite some of them being locks to get extended.
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