The Green Bay Packers just moved off defensive tackle Colby Wooden in a trade that landed the team former All-Pro linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Wooden was a tough fit as a 6’4, 273 lb 5-technique in the team’s new 4-3 defense under former defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. And given the move it would appear that the team will keep at least some elements of their 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who has ran both fronts over the course of his time in the NFL.
And since Wooden’s departure the unit has started to look desperately thin behind starters Karl Brooks and Devonte Wyatt.
However, according to Packer Report’s Easton Butler, the team has reportedly been “making calls” for Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle and former second team All-Pro Jalen Carter, along with New York Giants nose tackle, Dexter Lawrence.
Whilst calls were made for both players, it seems like only Carter has a vaguely realistic chance of being moved to Green Bay.
Easton Butler
The Packers have been making calls around the league for Defensive Tackles, per source. Two of the DTs they’ve called about: Eagles DT Jalen Carter, and Giants DT Dexter Lawrence. The Giants are “uber high on Lawrence” and are unlikely to move the star, while the Eagles have
“The Packers have been making calls around the league for Defensive Tackles, per source.” Butler reported. “Two of the DTs they’ve called about: Eagles DT Jalen Carter, and Giants DT Dexter Lawrence. The Giants are “uber high on Lawrence” and are unlikely to move the star, while the Eagles have been fielding trade offers for the young DT. Carter is on the last year of his rookie contract.”
Why Would the Eagles Trade Jalen Carter
Carter is one of the NFL’s elite three-techniques who has made two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro appearance in his first three years in the league.
The Eagles just extended fellow interior defensive lineman Jordan Davis to the tune of a three-year, $78 million deal – making him the highest paid nose tackle and second-highest paid defensive tackle in football, behind only seven-time Pro Bowl, six-time All-Pro and three-time Super Bowl champion Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Given the going rate for an elite three-techniques like Carter will probably exceed Jones’ $31 million per year, and could end up being closer to $35 million/year, it may not be financially feesible to keep both Davis and the talented but slightly more risky off-the-field product in Carter.
What Would it Take to Acquire Jalen Carter?
It is not exactly clear at this time what the Eagles would require in return. Quite possibly the Packers would look to trade players alongside draft capital in order to acquire Carter’s services, given the fact that they are already sans their first round picks in 2026 and 2027 due to the Micah Parsons trade executed last August.
Perhaps throwing in a player like Jayden Reed – whose rookie contract expires this time next year – along with some mid-round draft capital could be enough to entice the Eagles to move off Carter, who has one year remaining on his four year rookie deal, before that number goes up to a one-year $27 million deal if the Georgia alum’s fifth-year option is taken up.
Depending on how the Eagles feel about him and the broader demand for him around the league, Carter to the Packers could very much be on the table for 2026.