Breaking: “The Degree Of Dominance”: Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter Could Be Next Core Player To Receive Contract Extension.
**Introduction: A Future Forged in Fire**
The Philadelphia Eagles have always been known for their bruising defenses and fearsome front sevens, and over the past few seasons, that legacy has found new life through young stars who’ve taken the field at Lincoln Financial Field with explosive force. One of the brightest stars in that new generation is **Jalen Carter**, the former Georgia Bulldog who was drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Just two years into his NFL career, Carter has evolved from a hyped rookie prospect into a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense. Now, reports from inside the NovaCare Complex and league-wide insiders suggest that Carter may soon become the next foundational player to receive a contract extension — and a massive one at that.
In a team stacked with talent, Carter’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. If the Eagles’ front office follows the trend they’ve set with early extensions to homegrown talent — including DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson earlier this offseason — it would make perfect sense for Carter to be next. The only question now is **when**, not **if**.
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**The Rookie Phenomenon: Carter’s Fast Climb**
Jalen Carter entered the NFL under immense scrutiny. After a standout career at the University of Georgia where he was widely considered the best defensive lineman in the country, off-field concerns caused his draft stock to slip slightly, allowing the Eagles to steal him with the ninth overall pick in 2023. That move — trading up to acquire him — already looks like a masterstroke by GM Howie Roseman.
Carter’s rookie season was a revelation. In 2023, he posted:
* **6 sacks**
* **8 tackles for loss**
* **13 quarterback hits**
* **2 forced fumbles**
* **1 defensive touchdown**
More importantly, he posted a **Pressure Rate of 13.5%**, elite for a defensive tackle, and led all rookies in interior pressure. He was named a **Pro Bowl alternate**, a finalist for **Defensive Rookie of the Year**, and selected to the **PFWA All-Rookie Team**. Coaches and analysts marveled not just at the stats, but the sheer disruption he caused on a down-by-down basis.
“Jalen is a game-wrecker,” said Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in a press conference last season. “He’s already drawing double teams, and he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential.”
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**2024 and Beyond: A True Force of Nature**
Carter’s sophomore season in 2024 was when things truly exploded. He became the focal point of a defensive line that ranked top five in total defense and top three in quarterback pressures. With Fletcher Cox retiring after the 2023 season, Carter assumed a leadership role both on and off the field.
In 2024, Carter recorded:
* **11.5 sacks**
* **17 tackles for loss**
* **26 quarterback pressures**
* **3 forced fumbles**
* **2 batted passes**
Those numbers earned him **First-Team All-Pro** honors and solidified him as one of the best interior defenders in the entire NFL — up there with names like Aaron Donald and Chris Jones.
More than the stats, Carter’s impact was felt in critical moments. In Week 13’s win over the Cowboys, he recorded two sacks and forced a fumble that sealed the victory. In the NFC Divisional Round against the Lions, he had five QB hurries and a crucial 4th-and-1 stop. That level of performance in the biggest moments has made it clear: **Jalen Carter is not just good — he is great**.
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**The Financial Picture: A Looming Mega-Deal**
Given Carter’s performance, it’s not surprising that the Eagles would want to lock him down early. While players drafted in the first round have a fifth-year option, Philadelphia has shown a clear pattern of rewarding their stars before they hit that final contract year — especially to avoid ballooning market prices.
Jalen Carter is currently under his rookie deal, which is a four-year contract worth **\$21.8 million**, all guaranteed, with a team option for 2027.
A possible extension could look like:
* **5 years, \$125 million**
* **\$80 million guaranteed**
* **Annual average value: \$25 million**
That would place him right behind Aaron Donald’s historical peak of \$31.6 million per year and slightly ahead of Chris Jones’ deal with Kansas City.
“Carter is going to reset the non-Aaron Donald market,” said former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum on ESPN’s *Get Up*. “The guy is just 23, and he’s already in the top three at his position. The Eagles know if they wait, that price tag goes even higher.”
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**Philadelphia’s Strategy: Build from the Trenches**
Howie Roseman and the Eagles front office have long followed a philosophy of building through the trenches. The defensive and offensive lines are the heartbeat of this team, and they’ve made a habit of drafting, developing, and retaining elite linemen — from Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson on the offensive side, to Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham on the defensive side.
With Kelce and Cox gone, the new core is forming around **Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, Haason Reddick (if extended), and now, Jalen Carter**.
Roseman has already extended Smith and Dickerson this offseason. Adding Carter to that list would ensure the Eagles maintain dominance up front well into the second half of the decade.
“Carter is the kind of player you build a franchise around,” said NFL analyst Mina Kimes. “He’s not just a pass-rushing defensive tackle — he controls the line of scrimmage. He forces offenses to alter game plans. That’s rare.”
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**The Carter Effect: Teammates, Coaches, and Fans React**
Inside the locker room, Carter has not only earned the respect of veterans but also established himself as a leader for younger players like 2024 draft pick Jer’Zhan Newton. According to multiple sources, Carter has embraced that leadership role — something that was in question when he came out of Georgia with maturity concerns.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean, who also played with Carter at Georgia, spoke highly of his teammate.
“We all knew what kind of talent Jalen had,” Dean said. “But to see how much he’s grown mentally and as a leader? That’s what’s special. He’s the anchor of this defense now.”
Fans, too, have been vocal about their desire to see Carter signed long-term. Social media has been abuzz with hashtags like **#ExtendCarter** and fan-made graphics projecting what his new contract might look like. In a city that demands effort and toughness, Carter’s fiery style of play has made him a favorite.
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**Potential Hurdles: Cap Space and Market Timing**
While the Eagles are flush with cap space now, there are future considerations to manage. Quarterback Jalen Hurts signed a massive five-year, \$255 million extension in 2023. Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are locked in for years, as is left tackle Jordan Mailata.
But with players like Haason Reddick potentially seeking an extension and other young players like Reed Blankenship and Cam Jurgens due for raises down the line, the Eagles will need to be surgical in how they allocate resources.
Still, as Roseman showed with the Hurts extension, acting early gives the team leverage. Waiting another season could mean a \$140 million deal instead of \$125 million.
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**What’s Next: Timing of a Potential Deal**
Multiple league insiders, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, have hinted that extension talks between the Eagles and Carter’s camp could intensify before the start of the 2025 regular season. Roseman is known for making splash moves in July or August to avoid distractions during the season.
An announcement during training camp — or even just before the preseason begins — could signal to the rest of the league that **Philadelphia is doubling down on its defensive identity**.
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**Conclusion: The Future Runs Through No. 98**
Jalen Carter represents everything the Eagles want in their next era of football: toughness, explosiveness, leadership, and relentless dominance. He’s the kind of player who shifts the momentum of games, dictates offensive game plans, and elevates the play of everyone around him. At just 23 years old, he has already cemented himself as one of the best at his position — and one of the most important players in the Eagles’ future.
In Philadelphia, defense isn’t just part of the game. It’s part of the culture. And if the Eagles are serious about continuing their winning tradition, keeping Jalen Carter in midnight green is not just smart business — it’s an absolute necessity.
**The degree of dominance Carter displays? It’s contract-extension worthy. And then some.**
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