Highly-paid Eagles superstar isn’t satisfied. Teammate says what’s next is ‘scary’
· Yahoo Sports
PHILADELPHIA — Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter wore a wide smile while he spoke to reporters after Wednesday’s training camp practice at the Jefferson Health Training Complex.
One day after signing a four-year, $152 million extension that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history, Carter was surrounded by his family inside the media tent with teammate Jordan Davis proudly looking on.
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As the moment sank in, he felt a mix of emotions. He was happy to be staying with the Eagles long term, grateful for everyone who helped him along his journey, and excited for the next chapter of his career.
“It was important for me to stay here with the guys that I know and been playing with for the last three years,” Carter said. “Like I said, I let my agent do most of the talking. The numbers were not in my head like that. They just came back to me with information, and we got the deal done.”
The Eagles felt comfortable giving Carter a historic extension because they believe his best football is still ahead of him.
Carter is arguably the NFL’s most talented defensive tackle. If he plays at that level consistently this season, the Eagles will have one of the league’s best defenses.
“He came back in phenomenal shape with his weight, with his conditioning test,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “Even with that contract still looming, he worked his a-- off, and I’m proud of him for that.”
In extending a contract of this magnitude, the Eagles had to weigh whether Carter would continue to improve or become complacent. Carter said he is not driven by the money.
“I don’t think the money is ever going to change me,” Carter said. “When you get picked in the first round in top-10 pick, you kind of get a little bit of decent money. And that didn’t change me. I still came here. I had a goal. I let the team know and the fans know the goal was to get a championship. It happened. It’s a new contract, and it’s time to get more championships for the city of Philly.”
After battling shoulder problems throughout the 2025 season, Carter said he is back to 100 percent this summer and feels like his old self again.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said Carter was disruptive during 11-on-11s, making things difficult for the offense during Wednesday’s practice. Hurts is proud of Carter’s development.
Before camp started, Hurts took the $5 bill his wife put in his book bag — an inside joke between the couple — and smacked the bill against Carter’s chest. “Let me put five on top of that,” Hurts told him.
When Eagles linebacker Zack Baun was told of Carter’s new deal, he shouted: “Let’s f---ing go.” Baun said Carter is “a pleasure to play behind” because he frees him up to make plays in the backfield.
On the other side of the ball, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is looking forward to watching the next step in Carter’s development.
“You guys don’t understand how scary it can actually be,” Barkley said. “There’s another level he can take it to, and I look forward to watching that.”
After Carter finished talking, he went back inside the building to watch more film. He has the talent to become a Defensive Player of the Year. Now, he has to put in the extra work to get there.
“I’m working every day to make myself better, either with technique or team chemistry,” Carter said. “Just pretty much everything.”
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