He is the most talented defensive tackle to enter the NFL in a decade. Honestly, that isn't even hyperbole. When Jalen Carter fell to the Philadelphia Eagles at the ninth pick in the 2023 draft, it felt like a heist. Howie Roseman basically sprinted to the podium. But three seasons in, the conversation around the former Georgia Bulldog has shifted from "can he be great?" to "how does he stay on the field?"
People see the flashes. They see the 314-pound frame moving like a linebacker. It's scary. But if you’re only looking at the box score from the 2025 season, you’re missing the actual story of what’s happening in Philly’s trenches.
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The Vic Fangio Effect and the Workload Problem
When Vic Fangio took over the Eagles defense, everyone assumed Jalen Carter would just become the next Justin Smith or Christian Wilkins. A disruptor. A nightmare. And for a lot of 2024 and 2025, he was exactly that. Carter earned second-team All-Pro honors during the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX-winning campaign. He led the team in pressures (45) and QB hits (16) that year. At 23, he was the youngest DT in franchise history to make a Pro Bowl.
But 2025 was... weird.
The production didn't disappear, but it got quieter. Fangio is blunt. He’s the kind of coach who tells you your breath smells while you’re trying to ask him for a play-call. In September 2025, Fangio famously said that for Carter to be a leader, his "actions must speak louder than words." He wasn't just talking about locker room speeches. He was talking about the conditioning.
The Eagles' defensive line rotation became a lot thinner this past year. When Carter is off the field, the drop-off is massive. But when he's on the field for 60+ snaps, he wears down. By December 2025, the injuries started piling up. A heel issue in Week 5. A shoulder injury in Week 13. Then the hip injury in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills that basically sidelined him for the regular-season finale against the Commanders.
Why the "Inconsistent" Label is Mostly Lazy
You've probably heard fans on 94WIP or Reddit complaining that Carter "disappears" for stretches. It’s a common gripe. But look at the tape.
Teams are terrified of him. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Carter still registered a pressure on 10.2% of his pass-rushing downs in 2025. That’s elite. It’s right near his career average of 10.8%. The difference is that teams are sliding protections his way more than ever. If you're getting double-teamed by a Pro Bowl guard and a center every third snap, your sack numbers are going to take a hit.
By the Numbers: Jalen Carter's 2025 Regular Season
- Total Tackles: 33
- Sacks: 3.0 (A career low, but contextual)
- Pass Deflections: 7 (A career high—he's learning to use those long arms)
- QB Pressures: 41
- PFF Pass Rush Grade: 78.8 (9th among all interior defenders)
See that last number? He’s still a top-10 pass rusher at his position. The "slump" people talk about is mostly just a lack of "splash" plays like forced fumbles, of which he had zero in 2025 after recording four across his first two years.
The Maturity Curve and the Brandon Graham Factor
Off the field, Carter has been under a microscope since the day he was drafted. Those Georgia headlines don't just go away. But inside the NovaCare Complex, the narrative is different.
Brandon Graham, the elder statesman of the Eagles, has been vocal about Carter's growth. He’s noted that Jalen is "learning how to be a pro"—showing up early, asking the right questions, and actually listening. It’s easy to forget he’s only 24. Most guys his age are still figuring out how to do their own laundry, and he's expected to anchor a billion-dollar defensive line.
He’s a sponge. That’s what former DC Sean Desai called him. He’s taking coaching from everyone, even the specialists. Jordan Davis, his best friend and teammate from the Georgia days, has been the anchor. They are a package deal. When Davis plays well, Carter usually follows. When one is gassed, the other suffers.
The $26 Million Question: The Fifth-Year Option
Howie Roseman has a decision to make. Soon.
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Jalen Carter signed a four-year, $21.8 million contract back in 2023. It’s fully guaranteed. But because he was a first-round pick, the Eagles have that fifth-year option for the 2027 season. Based on his Pro Bowl nods, that option is going to be expensive—likely north of **$26 million** for a single year.
There is a camp of people who think the Eagles should just extend him now. Why wait? The price for defensive tackles is skyrocketing. Chris Jones and Justin Madubuike have reset the market. If Carter has a "quiet" year with 3 sacks, maybe you get him at a discount. If he goes out and gets 12 sacks in 2026? You're looking at a $30+ million per year AAV (Average Annual Value).
But there’s risk. The injuries in late 2025 were real. The "antics" (as some beat writers call them) and the occasional lack of composure on the sideline have made some in the front office hesitate. Do you commit $100 million to a guy who might have a chronic shoulder issue?
What’s Next for #98?
If you're an Eagles fan, you shouldn't be worried about the 3 sacks. You should be worried about the hip and the shoulder.
The Eagles are heading into the 2026 postseason (or preparing for a massive 2026 campaign) with a defense that is significantly better when Jalen Carter is healthy. He is the engine. When he's "on," he is unblockable. He’s the guy who can ruin a game plan in a single quarter.
Actionable Insights for Following Carter in 2026:
- Watch the Snap Counts: If Carter is playing more than 65% of the defensive snaps, look for his production to dip in the fourth quarter. He's most effective as a high-intensity rotational piece.
- Focus on the "Swim" Move: Carter’s initial burst is his greatest weapon. If he's healthy, you'll see him win the gap before the guard can even get his hands up.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Specifically the "Hip/Back" designations. For a guy his size, core injuries are a recurring nightmare.
- Extension Watch: Expect news on his fifth-year option or a long-term extension by May 2026. Howie Roseman usually likes to move early to save cap space down the road.
Jalen Carter isn't a finished product. Not even close. But he’s the most important player on that Eagles defense, and his "quiet" years are still better than most players' career years.