Jalen Carter hasn’t just impressed through his first two seasons in Philadelphia – he’s reshaped expectations.
Coming out of Georgia as the ninth overall pick in 2023, Carter landed with a defensive line already packed with talent. But instead of getting lost in the shuffle, he bulldozed his way to the front. With 10.5 sacks and a dominant presence on tape, he’s been a problem for offensive lines since his rookie snap.
His performance hasn’t just caught the attention of fans – it’s shifted the Eagles’ entire financial strategy.
Over the last year, the front office has made moves that, on the surface, might have seemed like standard cap maneuvering. But look closer, and a pattern emerges: veterans like Darius Slay and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson weren’t just cap casualties – their exits opened the runway for what could be one of the richest contracts ever given to a non-quarterback.
The Carter Clock is Ticking
Carter becomes extension-eligible next offseason, and league insiders expect Philadelphia to strike fast. NFL.com’s Anthony Holzman-Escareno projects Carter could clear $35 million per year, putting him in a group that includes Myles Garrett, Justin Jefferson, and Maxx Crosby – names that signal elite status, both in performance and paycheck.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently noted that Carter’s rare ability to collapse the pocket from the inside gives him negotiating power few others can claim. “You game-plan around interior guys like Carter,” Fowler said. “Those are the guys who change everything.”
And he’s only 24.
The Eagles are known for getting ahead of the market. With the cap expected to rise sharply in 2026, it wouldn’t be surprising if GM Howie Roseman locks in a deal before the price climbs even higher.
Whether Carter chooses to chase every dollar or leaves some on the table to keep other Bulldogs in Philly – like Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean – will shape the roster for years. But the number? That’s going to be massive either way.
He’s not just a rising star. He’s about to become a contract blueprint.
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