After delivering on his draft-night promise of bringing a Super Bowl to Philadelphia, Jalen Carter is poised to become the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackle with a potential blockbuster extension.
Jalen Carter made a bold promise on draft night in 2023, claiming to be the best player in his class and vowing to help bring a Super Bowl to Philadelphia. Just two seasons into his NFL career, the former Georgia Bulldog has delivered on both counts, establishing himself as a dominant force on the Eagles' defensive line and helping secure the franchise’s second Super Bowl victory.
Now, as Carter enters his third NFL season, the conversation shifts to his future payday. With his rookie contract set to expire after the 2026 season – assuming the Eagles exercise his fifth-year option – what might a contract extension look like for one of the league’s rising defensive stars?
Carter is currently playing under his rookie deal, signed after being selected 9th overall by the Eagles in 2023. The four-year contract is worth $21.8 million fully guaranteed, including a $12.85 million signing bonus, with an average annual value of $5.45 million. The Eagles also hold a fifth-year option for the 2027 season that they will almost certainly exercise. But the landscape of the defensive tackle market has changed dramatically since Carter was drafted.
Chris Jones leads the position with his Chiefs contract worth $31.75 million per year, followed by Christian Wilkins (Raiders) at $27.5 million and Justin Madubuike (Ravens) at $24.5 million annually. For Carter, the combination of youth, production, and potential sets him up to command a record-breaking deal when he becomes eligible for an extension after the 2025 season.
If Carter continues his current trajectory and maintains his dominance as a game-wrecking interior defender, his next contract could exceed every defensive tackle deal in NFL history.
A projected extension could look like five years, worth between $205 and $215 million, with $120 to $130 million guaranteed and a signing bonus between $40 and $45 million.
Such a contract would surpass Chris Jones’ $31.75 million per year mark and place Carter’s deal on par with elite edge rushers and even some quarterbacks.
And of course … why not the biggest non-QB contract ever? Dallas Cowboys edge Micah Parsons is talked about as a record-setter who’ll get $40 million APY.
Why not Carter, too?
Carter will be just 25 years old when he becomes extension-eligible, five years younger than Jones was when he signed his record deal. This gives Carter leverage for a longer, more lucrative contract. By 2026, the salary cap is projected to rise significantly, increasing the market value for top-tier defensive players.
Carter’s combination of size, strength, and quickness puts him in a rare category of interior defenders who can dominate against both the run and pass. Carter has already delivered on his draft-night promise by helping the Eagles win a Super Bowl – and proving he can dominate on the game’s biggest stage.
Philadelphia has consistently prioritized investing in its defensive line, and General Manager Howie Roseman has a track record of creative contract structuring. The Eagles would likely front-load Carter’s deal with a hefty signing bonus and lower base salaries in the first two years to manage the cap hit, while pushing the bulk of the money into the back end. This approach would allow Philadelphia to maintain roster flexibility while Carter remains in his prime.
Committing such a massive contract to Carter would significantly impact the Eagles’ salary cap strategy, particularly with Jalen Hurts’ blockbuster extension already in place. However, given Roseman’s expertise in navigating cap constraints, the Eagles are well-positioned to make Carter the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackle without sacrificing their ability to remain contenders.
Jalen Carter’s draft-night promise has already been fulfilled – he brought a Super Bowl to Philadelphia and established himself as one of the league’s best defensive players. Now, his next contract will reflect both that accomplishment and the expectation that he will continue to anchor the Eagles’ defensive line for years to come.
