Why the Eagles Need to Move On from Michael Carter II - and Soon
The Philadelphia Eagles have built a reputation under Howie Roseman as one of the savviest front offices in the NFL. Whether it’s flipping mid-round picks for proven veterans or finding value in players other teams gave up on, Roseman has made a habit of winning the margins. But even the best front offices miss sometimes - and Michael Carter II looks like one of those rare swings and misses.
Let’s rewind to midseason. The Eagles were thin in the secondary and looking for help.
So they struck a deal with the Jets, sending wide receiver John Metchie and a 2027 sixth-round pick to New York in exchange for Carter and a 2027 seventh-rounder. On paper, it was a classic Eagles move: low-risk, high-upside.
Carter was on a cheap deal with another year of team control, and Philly had more receivers than they knew what to do with. The logic was sound.
But the results? Not so much.
Carter never really found his footing in Philadelphia. Since joining the team, he logged just 106 defensive snaps - 65 of those coming in Week 18 against Washington, a game where the Eagles rested their starters.
That tells you everything you need to know about where he stood on the depth chart. He also added 65 snaps on special teams, but overall, he didn’t make much of an impact in either phase.
Now, with the offseason underway and the Eagles looking to retool after a disappointing finish, Carter is shaping up as an obvious cut candidate. Releasing him before June 1 would free up $8.7 million in cap space. That’s not a massive number, but in the way the Eagles structure their contracts, every bit of flexibility matters - and Carter is one of the few players who could offer real cap relief.
There’s also the trade route, which could open up a bit more breathing room - just over $10 million in savings. But that would require a partner willing to take on a player who barely saw the field.
After only 106 defensive snaps and limited special teams action, Carter’s trade value is, at best, uncertain. And the Eagles don’t have time to wait and see if a market develops.
This offseason is going to be about calculated decisions for Philly. They need clarity on their cap situation heading into free agency, and holding onto Carter in hopes of squeezing out a late-round pick just isn’t worth the risk. The financial upside of a trade doesn’t outweigh the potential downside of being stuck with a player they don’t plan to use.
Sometimes, even the best GMs take a gamble that doesn’t pay off. That’s what this was.
A smart move on paper that didn’t pan out on the field. Now it’s time for the Eagles to cut bait and move on - not just because Carter didn’t perform, but because doing so gives them the flexibility they’ll need to reshape a roster with championship aspirations.
The Eagles have bigger plans. Michael Carter II just doesn’t appear to be part of them.