Will Jalen Carter Enter Uncharted Territory on Eagles? originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There is no denying how special Jalen Carter has been through his first two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The former ninth overall pick and Georgia Bulldog standout has recorded 10.5 sacks through his first two years in the league while also grading out as an elite player by Pro Football Focus.
Carter is the kind of interior defensive lineman teams try to build around. It's why the Eagles have already begun preparing for the lucrative extension he is in line to receive next offseason.
Stars like Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Darius Slay left the Eagles in part so the team could try to roll over every bit of cap space for the 2026 offseason. With Carter eligible for an extension, Philadelphia will try to agree to terms early in the process (as they are known for doing).
But how much could Carter make in an extension? Many reporters, including NFL.com analyst Anthony Holzman-Escareno, believe that Carter will earn over $35 million in average salary.
That would make him just one of six players in league history to be given that mark as a non-quarterback. Among those on the current list are Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, Texans edge rusher Danielle Hunter, Browns edge defender Myles Garrett, and Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
It's a safe bet that Carter, at just 24 years old, will be among the players on this list next offseason. He has become one of the most feared defenders in the league and an unstoppable force in Philly's defense.
He will be paid as such next offseason.
The only question will be whether he takes a more team-friendly deal to keep some of the other Bulldogs on his team or goes for the highest non-QB contract in history.
He would be right on either count.
