The Philadelphia Eagles' young defense features stars like Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean. Howie Roseman has been around long enough to know that it's worth doing everything possible to keep these studs together.
One year after giving defensive tackle Jordan Davis a hefty multi-year contract, the Eagles paid through the nose to keep Carter. His four-year, $152 million extension that pays him up to $160 million absolutely shattered the previous highest AAV among defensive tackles, making him the highest-paid DT in NFL history.
While this should be a cause for celebration among Eagles fans, this could also be the precursor to a concerning development that threatens to turn this team's long-term future upside down. After paying Carter, Mitchell, and Davis, the odds of keeping DeJean on a contract that will pay him like one of the best defensive backs in the league are starting to slip away.
Eagles may be unable to keep Cooper DeJean after Jalen Carter extension
DeJean is one of the best young defensive backs in the game, capable of playing multiple spots in the secondary and even moonlighting at safety if needed. The Eagles enjoyed the historic windfall of their 2024 NFL Draft class last season, as both DeJean and Mitchell were named First Team All-Pro. Keeping them both locked in, however, will prove tough.
The Eagles are already committing an obscene amount of money to their defensive line, as both Carter and Davis rank in the top five across the NFL in terms of average annual value. Mitchell is a must-keep, even for top-of-the-line money. The Eagles may need to save elsewhere on the roster, and DeJean is not going to take a hometown discount.
The Eagles are going to have a fairly expensive offense. It will cost a pretty penny to keep their much-ballyhooed offensive line together in the long-term future. Jalen Hurts has performed well enough to earn another long-term contract, and he's likely to slam his Super Bowl ring on the table in negotiations. That deal will be even more eye-watering.
Read more: Jalen Carter just sealed his Eagles teammate's fate after historic contract
Philadelphia is one of the best (if not the best) teams in the NFL in terms of restocking the cupboards with talent in the NFL Draft, but it's impossible to keep all of these stars long-term. Another strong year from Mitchell could force the Eagles to work on an extension after the Carter deal, and keeping DeJean around may be too financially difficult.
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