Getty
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 11: Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The future of Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been the subject of growing speculation this offseason.
After the Eagles handed fellow defensive tackle Jordan Davis a massive three-year, $78 million contract extension, questions quickly surfaced about whether Philadelphia would commit major money to both players along the defensive line.
However, according to Philadelphia sports radio insider Eliot Shorr-Parks, the Eagles have no hesitation about paying Carter.
Speaking on 94 WIP, Shorr-Parks made it clear the organization still views Carter as a foundational piece of the defense and expects a long-term deal to eventually get done.
“I think it’ll happen this offseason,” Shorr-Parks said. “I think it could happen any day now. They want to re-sign Jalen Carter.”
SPORTSRADIO 94WIP
ESP says the Eagles want to resign Jalen Carter:
“They will absolutely pay him. It’s a matter of when, not if.”
While Carter has been mentioned in trade speculation in recent weeks, those rumors may not reflect Philadelphia’s true intentions. Instead, the Eagles appear focused on keeping the former first-round pick in the building for the long haul.
Insider: Eagles ‘Will Absolutely Pay’ Jalen Carter
Shorr-Parks went even further when discussing Carter’s contract situation. He emphasized that the Eagles are fully prepared to pay whatever it takes to keep the star defensive tackle.
“They will absolutely pay him,” Shorr-Parks said. “It’s a matter of when, not if.”
The comment signals strong confidence that Philadelphia will reach a deal with Carter at some point in the near future. According to Shorr-Parks, the biggest question surrounding the negotiations isn’t whether the Eagles want to sign him, but simply when the agreement will be finalized.
Carter’s market value has also become a major talking point after the Eagles committed $78 million to Davis.
“If I’m Jalen Carter and I see what Jordan Davis got, I think he deserves a substantial amount more than that,” Shorr-Parks said.
Given Carter’s production and upside, it would not be surprising if his eventual contract surpasses the deal Davis recently received by a good amount.
Still, Shorr-Parks acknowledged that negotiating such a large contract can be complicated.
“It’s a complicated deal,” he said. “But the Eagles knew it would be expensive and they are ready to pay.”
Carter Has Quickly Become One of the NFL’s Top Defensive Tackles
Philadelphia originally selected Carter with the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Georgia standout immediately made an impact, finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after recording 33 tackles and six sacks.
Carter followed that performance with a Pro Bowl season in 2024, posting 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and six passes defended.
He also had a dominant postseason that year, helping lead the Eagles defense to a dominant Super Bowl performance.
Although some observers felt he took a slight step back during the 2025 season, Carter remains widely viewed as one of the most talented young defensive tackles in the league.
That talent is exactly why the Eagles appear determined to keep him long term.
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:5120d7fd-df37-4a7c-aec0-1385200ce9c6-2" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant">
Prioritizing Carter could also help explain the Eagles’ quiet start to free agency.
Philadelphia has yet to make a major signing during the opening wave of free agency. They haver already watched several key defenders depart.
Nakobe Dean, Jaelan Phillips, and Reed Blankenship all landed elsewhere.
That approach could signal a larger plan to allocate significant cap space toward a massive extension for Carter, ensuring the young defensive tackle remains a cornerstone of the Eagles defense for years to come.