The Eagles made their move early this offseason, locking up Jordan Davis and then going even bigger with Jalen Carter. Carter’s new extension is a monster: $152 million over four seasons, or $38 million per year, a record-setting number for a defensive tackle.
That kind of payday drew a skeptical eye from ESPN analyst Seth Walder, who argued the deal is asking the Eagles to pay Carter like he’s already established himself among the NFL’s elite at the position.
“The numbers don't back Carter up as elite... yet,” Walder writes. “… It makes sense for the Eagles to want Carter on their roster for a long time. But the price feels steep.”
Walder was careful not to dismiss Carter as a player. In fact, he made clear he thinks highly of him, writing, “He's a very good player, especially if we're looking forward (which we should be).”
The sticking point is where the money lands. Philadelphia is paying Carter like a top-five defensive tackle of the last decade, and Walder noted that his $38 million annual figure ranks fourth among DT contracts over the last 10 years when adjusted for salary cap inflation. Only two Aaron Donald deals and one Ndamukong Suh contract sit ahead of it.
Carter’s résumé is already strong. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl champion and a second-team All-Pro with 13.5 sacks in three seasons. Still, the broader criticism is that the Eagles are buying into the ceiling before he’s fully and consistently lived up to it.
That’s the gamble here for Howie Roseman. Philadelphia is betting Carter keeps climbing toward the superstar level he’s flashed, while also trying to stay ahead of the next wave of expensive defensive tackle contracts that are expected to hit soon.
In Other News...
Eagles Camp Battle Just Took A Concerning Turn For Dameon Pierce
The Eagles wrapped up a long training-camp session at the Jefferson Health Training Complex, closing out the longest stretch of camp with a mix of encouraging and uneven moments. Willie Lampkin, Jalyx Hunt, Jalen Carter, Eli Stowers, Byron Young and Jake Elliott all had noticeable runs during the workout, while Nolan Smith and Hollywood Brown had tougher stretches as the team continued to sort through roster battles and health checks.
One of the more concerning developments came when Dameon Pierce left practice early, turning what had been another full camp day into a potential storyline to watch. Philadelphia still does not know the extent of the issue, and until there is more clarity, Pierces standing in the competition feels a little less certain than it did before the session began. [Read more 🡒]
Ty Robinson Is Forcing His Way Into The Eagles D-Line Picture
Ty Robinson has spent the spring and summer doing what young defensive linemen in Philadelphia have to do if they want real attention: keep showing up in the right places and holding their own against the starters. After a quiet rookie season in which he got into 11 games and chipped in a few disruptive plays, the second-year lineman has looked more confident in OTAs and training camp, enough to start working with the first unit and draw notice in one-on-one work.
The timing matters for the Eagles, too. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are already locked in as part of the front, but the rest of the rotation is less settled, and any uncertainty around the depth chart only gives Robinson more of a lane to push through. For a team that values keeping its defensive line deep and young, this kind of summer climb can turn into something more meaningful once the pads stay on and the roster starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Pass Rush Just Got A Huge Week 1 Opening
The Eagles opener against Washington already had the feel of an early measuring-stick game, and it just got a little more favorable on the line of scrimmage. Washington is now dealing with a major loss up front after starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered an injury that immediately changes the look of its protection plan, which is not the sort of development a pass rush wants to see on the other sideline.
For Philadelphia, the timing matters. The Commanders are now sorting through replacements on the left side, with Andrew Wylie and Brandon Coleman among the names in the mix and other options still under consideration, which adds uncertainty to a position that usually sets the tone for a quarterbacks comfort level. It gives the Eagles front a clearer path to create stress in Week 1, even if the full picture of how Washington fills that spot is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]