When the 2025 NFL season kicked off, it didn’t take long for Eagles fans to start voicing their concerns about the secondary. With Adoree' Jackson and rookie Kelee Ringo struggling on the outside, the pressure was on GM Howie Roseman to shore up the cornerback position before things spiraled.
And to his credit, Roseman responded. He swung not one, but two trades before the deadline-bringing in Michael Carter II from the Jets and Jaire Alexander from the Ravens.
On paper, it looked like a savvy double-down on a position of need. In reality?
Only one of those moves has had any real on-field impact-and even that’s been minimal.
Let’s talk about Carter. While Alexander hasn’t seen the field in Philly and may never suit up in midnight green, Carter has played. The question is: has he made a difference?
So far, the answer is no.
Carter has been a ghost in the Eagles’ secondary. His only notable appearance came during a 24-21 loss to the Cowboys, when Jackson went down and Cooper DeJean slid outside, forcing Carter into the slot.
That game marked the only time this season Carter registered a tackle. One tackle.
That’s it.
Across seven games with the Eagles, Carter’s defensive stat line is nearly blank. He’s been targeted just three times all year, allowing one catch for seven yards.
He’s logged 41 defensive snaps and 53 on special teams. That’s not a typo-those are the real numbers.
Now, let’s be fair: the trade itself wasn’t a bad move. Philly gave up a Day 3 pick and sent off wide receiver John Metchie III, who wasn’t contributing offensively.
From a front office perspective, that’s a low-risk deal. And Carter has value as a depth piece-someone who can step in if injuries pile up.
But that’s about where the positives end.
The reality is Carter hasn’t been part of the solution in Philly’s cornerback room. He’s not making plays, he’s not pushing for a starting role, and he’s not carving out a niche on special teams.
He’s just... there. And for a team with postseason aspirations and a defense that’s been under the microscope, that’s not enough.
Looking ahead, it’s hard to see a path that brings Carter back in 2026. The Eagles still need help on the outside, and Carter doesn’t fit that mold. Unless the coaching staff-namely defensive coordinator Vic Fangio-decides to shift Cooper DeJean to a full-time outside role (which hasn’t been the plan so far), there’s not a clear spot for Carter in the rotation.
Bottom line: the Eagles took a swing on Michael Carter II, hoping he could be a sneaky value add down the stretch. But through seven games, he’s been more placeholder than playmaker. And with roster decisions looming this offseason, Carter’s time in Philly might be nearing the end.