The Eagles have reached an agreement with Jalen Carter on a four-year contract extension, securing the defensive tackle through 2031. This move, announced on Tuesday, addresses a significant long-term roster question for the team.
The deal is reportedly valued at $152 million, with $106 million guaranteed. With an average annual value of $38 million when his new contract begins, Carter is set to become the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.
Carter’s Impact and Injury Concerns
Jalen Carter, at 25 years old, is currently in the fourth year of his rookie contract, with his fifth-year option having been exercised in April. By extending his contract as players report for training camp, the Eagles are preventing him from potentially exploring the free-agent market in the future.
Since being drafted ninth overall in the 2023 draft out of Georgia, Carter has established himself as a top defensive tackle in the league. He received Pro Bowl selections in both 2024 and 2025. In his rookie season in 2023, Carter was the runner-up for the AP defensive rookie of the year award.
During the Eagles‘ 2024 Super Bowl-winning season, Carter handled the largest workload on the defensive line, participating in 79.4% of defensive snaps. However, he entered the 2025 season dealing with shoulder injuries, which led him to miss three games in the latter half of the year while recovering from procedures.
Last season, Carter acknowledged that his performance was affected by his injuries, resulting in a career-low 7.7% pressure rate. He also faced a double team on a career-low 41.7% of his pass rushes, according to Next Gen Stats. His output of five pressures on 158 double-teams marked a decrease compared to his 2023 (12) and 2024 (15) figures.
Carter was not present for the two voluntary organized team activities open to the media this offseason. While he was on the field during mandatory minicamp, he did not participate in team drills. In June, coach Nick Sirianni did not specify whether his limited participation was due to his contract situation or injuries. However, Vic Fangio stated in late May that he believes Carter’s shoulders are “fine,” noting that Carter had a good offseason of lifting, which started earlier than usual for him.
Defensive Line Investments and Roster Implications
The new deal for Jalen Carter signifies the Eagles‘ confidence in his ability to elevate his play. This investment follows a similar move for Jordan Davis, who signed a three-year, $78 million deal in March. These agreements provide the Eagles with long-term security in the defensive trenches.
The substantial investments in Carter and Davis could impact the team’s ability to retain other defensive linemen. Moro Ojomo, who will turn 25 in August, is entering the final year of his rookie deal and has not yet received an extension. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March 2027.
Ojomo, a former seventh-round pick, has developed significantly, playing in 66% of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps last season, the highest rate among the team’s defensive tackles. He started nine games and played in all 17, finishing second on the team in sacks. His 71.0 PFF grade was the 80th-best in the NFL last season.
His emergence followed Milton Williams‘ departure to the New England Patriots in 2025, where Williams signed a four-year, $104 million contract with $63 million guaranteed. Ojomo could potentially seek a similar financial tier with another productive season.
Paying market value for Ojomo would require the Eagles to commit a significant amount of money to three defensive tackles. While an extension is possible, Ojomo may have little financial incentive to accept a discount before reaching free agency. A strong 2026 campaign could attract multiple teams to compete for his services.
General manager Howie Roseman is reportedly attempting to balance the team’s investments in young defenders by adding inexpensive talent through the draft, particularly on offense this year. The extension for Jalen Carter has resolved the team’s primary contractual concern, but it also makes the potential departure of Moro Ojomo more foreseeable as the team solidifies its long-term defensive line pillars.
Source: inquirer.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.