The summer storyline brewing for the Philadelphia Eagles centers on how they will handle Jalen Carter's contract extension.
Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer recently said that he believes the Eagles are hesitant to give Carter a contract extension due to having some character concerns with him. Besides the off-the-field problems in 2023, Carter took some criticism for his ejection last year due to spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and had an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The Eagles already picked up Carter's fifth-year option on his rookie deal, meaning that they will have him on the roster through the 2027 season and pay him $27.1 million that final season. With conversations about what Breer said, is that a reason to be concerned about the report?
Looking at the reason Eagles fans might sweat over Jalen Carter's extension talks
This is something brewing behind the scenes with Carter. The Eagles have already reacted to his contract by picking up that fifth-year option, but it felt like more could have been done. Going back-to-back seasons with Pro Bowl selections was more than enough reason for the Eagles to just go ahead and pick up that option on his contract.
Just because the Eagles didn't give him an extension right after that doesn't mean they completely don't believe in him...some would say. Many point out that if the Eagles work out a deal with him now, they won't have to pay him as much as they would if they wait until next offseason.
There is an argument that, no matter when they get it done, the price for Carter will be roughly $33 million to $35 million per year. There won't be another defensive tackle in the NFL who is going to get that kind of money in the next year or two, so regardless, Carter is resetting the market.
One thing to understand about the Eagles is that the recent trend shows hesitancy. Eagles reporter Anthony DiBona pointed out that when the team entered its fourth season with Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and A.J. Brown, all of them received contract extensions in March or April before their fourth NFL season began. The only exceptions are Jordan Mailata and Jordan Davis, as Mailata got it in September of his fourth season and Davis got his after his fourth season was completed.
For the Eagles to not just go ahead and give that extension to Carter clearly shows there is something missing here. There have been reports that the team was frustrated with Carter's early-season issues with ejections and personal foul penalties.
Another concern with Carter is the injuries he had last season. There were two occasions when he missed time due to a heel injury and was dealing with both shoulder injuries. It doesn't help that during OTAs, he did not participate in team activities as the Eagles slowly work him back in.
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It's clear that the 2026 season is being used for Carter to prove himself to the Eagles. If he doesn't grow up and show that he's on a different path, next offseason might be more about when they trade him away.
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