Philadelphia Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been one of the more promising young players on the defensive line since joining the team as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His rookie contract runs through 2027, but it was widely expected that his elite play would earn him a long-term extension and a significant raise before that.
Instead, the Eagles are hesitating, and that hesitation is fueling trade speculation.
Eagles Are Hesitating on Jalen Carter’s Extension
Carter has been a solid and disruptive presence on Philadelphia’s defensive line since his debut. In three seasons with the Eagles, he has played 44 games, starting 27, with 108 tackles, 66 solo, 42 assisted, and 13.5 sacks. He’s been especially strong against the run and as an interior pass rusher, playing a key role in the defensive line rotation alongside Jordan Davis.
Eagles Exercise Fifth-Year Options on DT Jalen Carter, EDGE Nolan Smith (Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
His 2024 season was a breakout, earning him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. But 2025 was limited by shoulder injuries that cost him games and dulled his dominance, and that’s the core of why the Eagles are pausing.
Philadelphia is weighing a potential $32-35 million-plus AAV deal, and they want proof of consistency and durability before committing to a contract that size. The Eagles have typically been aggressive about locking up young stars early on team-friendly terms, as they did with Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and A.J. Brown.
Uh Oh: The Eagles have been hesitant to pay superstar DT Jalen Carter who is due for an extension, per @AlbertBreer
The trade rumors have already begun…
👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/74bNkosy2M
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 18, 2026
Being deep into June 2026 with no deal in place is unusual for this organization, and it signals they’re not yet ready to hand Carter that kind of money without more flexibility on their end.
Eagles Exercise the Fifth Year and Put Trade Talk on Hold
The hesitation on an extension has naturally sparked trade rumors, but those can be shelved for now. The Eagles are expected to exercise the fifth-year option on Carter’s rookie contract, keeping him under contract through 2027.
That distinction matters. Carter is not a free agent and cannot make a move on his own unless Philadelphia trades him. The Eagles exercising that option makes it clear they still see him as part of the plan, at least in the short term.
The more likely read here is that the Eagles want to watch him more closely before committing long-term. Another healthy, productive season would almost certainly unlock that extension conversation. What they’re looking for is more consistency, better availability, and enough confidence that he’s back to the player he was in 2024 before they hand him a record-setting deal.
For now, Carter stays an Eagle, and the Eagles stay patient.
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