PHI Jalen Carter
NFL player. Position: DT. Team: PHI.
Quick Facts
- Position: DT (Defensive Tackle)
- Team: PHI (Philadelphia Eagles)
2026 Outlook
Contract resolved: On July 28, 2026, Jalen Carter and the Eagles agreed to a 4-year, $152 million extension with $106 million guaranteed and escalators potentially reaching $160 million, making Carter the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL at $38M AAV. This agreement ends months of uncertainty and keeps Carter with Philadelphia through the 2031 season. The deal surpasses Jeffrey Simmons as the highest-paid defensive tackle. (per Eagles, Jalen Carter agree to extension reportedly worth up to $160M, making him... and 'Absolute No Brainer,' 'Bad News for the Bucs' — NFL World Reacts to Jalen Carter...)
Market implications: Carter's deal has major ripple effects: he becomes the third 2023 first-round pick to land a monster second contract (after Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. and Lions LB Jack Campbell). Notably, this effectively eliminates Philadelphia as a landing spot for Vita Vea, who was seeking a trade and had Philadelphia as one of his potential destinations. The Carter contract now sets a new market ceiling for elite defensive interiors and raises pressure on Tampa Bay to extend Vea or accept his trade request. (per 'Absolute No Brainer,' 'Bad News for the Bucs' — NFL World Reacts to Jalen Carter...)
Carter has generated 143 pressures over his first three seasons (including 13.5 sacks), demonstrating an ability to disrupt the opposing quarterback that's nearly unmatched among interior defensive linemen. His 2026 stock received validation when ESPN ranked him among the top 10 defensive tackles for the 2026 season (one of two Eagles DTs in ESPN's elite tier, alongside Jordan Davis), underscoring his elite disruptive potential as the Eagles seek to maintain one of the NFL's strongest interior defensive lines.
Carter played through two badly injured shoulders in 2025 and still produced at an elite level as the Eagles' lone Pro Bowl starter with 33 tackles, 41 quarterback pressures, 11 hits, and 3 sacks in 12 games. He remains central to Philadelphia's defensive line alongside Jordan Davis and is locked in for the foreseeable future. The Eagles now have invested $230 million combined ($38M/year for Carter, $26M/year for Davis) through 2031, solidifying the interior of their defensive line. ESPN identified this extension as a significant move, recognizing Carter's elite interior presence and ability to disrupt opposing offenses (per Jalen Carter becomes highest-paid defensive tackle with Eagles extension).
Role / Depth Chart
Starting defensive tackle for the Eagles, though contract uncertainty looms.
Injury Status
Shoulder injury history and some behavioral concerns noted, though he remains healthy and productive.
Recent News
- 2026-08-01 — Eagles training camp observations: Jalen Carter and defense dominate (Eagles training camp observations: Jalen Carter and defense dominate)
- 2026-07-28 — NFL training camp news, live updates: Kirk Cousins named QB1 over Fernando Mendoza;... (NFL training camp news, live updates: Kirk Cousins named QB1 over Fernando Mendoza;...)
- 2026-07-28 — ‘Absolute No Brainer,’ ‘Bad News for the Bucs’ — NFL World Reacts to Jalen Carter... (‘Absolute No Brainer,’ ‘Bad News for the Bucs’ — NFL World Reacts to Jalen Carter...)
- 2026-07-28 — Eagles, DT Jalen Carter agree to four-year, $152M extension (Eagles, DT Jalen Carter agree to four-year, $152M extension)
- 2026-07-28 — Eagles make Jalen Carter highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history with $152... (Eagles make Jalen Carter highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history with $152...)
- 2026-07-28 — Eagles, Jalen Carter agree to extension reportedly worth up to $160M, making him... (Eagles, Jalen Carter agree to extension reportedly worth up to $160M, making him...)
- 2026-07-28 — Philadelphia Eagles sign Jalen Carter to historic 4-year contract extension (Philadelphia Eagles sign Jalen Carter to historic 4-year contract extension)
- 2026-07-07 — Eagles mailbag: Backup QB competition, safety help, potential Jalen Carter contract -... (Eagles mailbag: Backup QB competition, safety help, potential Jalen Carter contract -...)
- 2026-07-01 — Eagles mailbag: Backup QB competition, safety help, potential Jalen Carter contract -... (Eagles mailbag: Backup QB competition, safety help, potential Jalen Carter contract -...)
- 2026-03-01 — 2026 NFL combine buzz: Intel on free agency, trades, QBs (2026 NFL combine buzz: Intel on free agency, trades, QBs)