Three biggest questions surrounding a potential Jalen Carter extension

Geoffrey A Knox, Eagles WireMon, July 6, 2026 at 1:53 PM UTC

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The Philadelphia Eagles have rarely hesitated to reward cornerstone players. Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, and Cam Jurgens all signed lucrative contract extensions before entering their fourth NFL seasons. Philadelphia identified each as a foundational piece and moved quickly before the market became even more expensive. Jalen Carter's situation feels different.

The former ninth overall pick has already established himself as one of the NFL's premier young defensive tackles, but unlike the others, he enters his fourth season without a new deal. That has naturally led to plenty of speculation about what's happening behind the scenes. Here are the three biggest questions surrounding Carter's expected extension.

Would the Eagles pay Jalen Carter more than $35 million annually?

The defensive tackle market recently changed significantly. Jeffery Simmons signed a three-year extension worth $105.8 million with the Tennessee Titans, resetting the market with an average annual value of roughly $35.3 million. That immediately became relevant to Carter.

Represented by Drew Rosenhaus, Carter's camp will almost certainly seek a contract that surpasses Simmons' deal. That's how the NFL's market typically works. Elite young players don't simply match the highest-paid player at their position. They often become the new standard. If Philadelphia wants to extend Carter now, it's likely writing a check unlike any it has ever handed a defensive tackle.

Do the Eagles value Carter at that level of compensation?

This is where the conversation becomes more interesting. No one questions Carter's talent. Philadelphia probably doesn't win Super Bowl LIX without his game-changing sack of Matthew Stafford in the Divisional Round.

His 2024 campaign earned All-Pro recognition and established him as one of football's most disruptive interior defenders. His 2025 season, however, wasn't quite as dominant.

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Carter still earned a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection, but shoulder injuries appeared to affect his consistency throughout the year. His sack production has declined in each of his three NFL seasons, and while isolated incidents like the much-discussed exchange with Dak Prescott probably shouldn't define him, they have become part of the broader conversation surrounding his value.

There's also a football argument to consider. Since 2023, Simmons has produced more tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles despite appearing in fewer games. If Carter is seeking to eclipse Simmons financially, the Eagles must determine whether they believe his trajectory and long-term upside justify resetting the market once again.

Will Philadelphia abandon its proven business model?

Perhaps the most intriguing question has nothing to do with Carter's talent. It's about timing. As mentioned, Hurts, Smith, Dickerson, and Jurgens all signed extensions during the spring before their fourth seasons. Carter didn't.

That doesn't mean an agreement won't happen. It simply suggests the Eagles are approaching this negotiation differently than they have with several recent cornerstone players. Maybe Philadelphia wants another season of dominant production before committing record-setting money.

Maybe Carter is betting on himself, believing an even bigger season could increase his value even further. Jordan Davis followed a similar path, waiting beyond his fourth season before securing a new deal. The gamble paid off.

Perhaps Carter believes it will for him as well. One thing seems certain: this story isn't over. Whether an extension comes before Week 1 or after the 2026 season, both sides still appear motivated to find common ground. The only remaining questions are how much it will cost, when it gets done, and whether Carter's biggest season is still ahead of him.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Three biggest questions surrounding a potential Jalen Carter extension

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