Eagles pay young star historic money despite concerns: Is it worth the risk?
· Yahoo Sports
The Eagles have signed star defensive tackle Jalen Carter to a four-year, $152 million extension worth up to $160 million, including $106 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This deal makes Carter the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history, surpassing Titans star Jeffery Simmons’ three-year, $105.828 million contract extension. Carter’s new contract will pay him an average of $38 million per year. With his remaining rookie deal and new extension, Carter will be under contract with Philadelphia for another six years.
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Based on his talent and upside, Carter is worthy of a historic deal. He’s arguably the league’s best defensive tackle when healthy and focused. He wrecked offensive lines during the Eagles’ 2024–25 Super Bowl-winning season and earned second-team All-Pro honors.
But this deal comes with a risk. Carter hasn’t always fulfilled his potential, including last year, when he struggled with shoulder problems and was ejected from the first game of the season for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
It appears the Eagles are comfortable with Carter long-term despite injury and maturity concerns. With this new deal, the 25-year-old will be the face of Philadelphia’s defense for years to come.
Carter will need to be more consistent than he was last year to live up to this deal. The Eagles need him to become one of the league’s most dominant players. So far, Carter has had moments when he has been that player, but sometimes he fades during stretches of a game or a season. That can no longer be the case.
In his first three seasons, Carter has racked up 13.5 sacks. That number does not fully convey how disruptive he has been at times. He has a great blend of power, strength and quickness and is a gifted pass rusher. Opposing offensive lines base their game plans on stopping him. They send double teams his way, but even that strategy is not always effective.
The Eagles are betting that Carter will unlock his full potential, which could make him a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. In time, they will know whether they made the right decision or took too big a risk.
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