The Philadelphia Eagles exercised the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Jalen Carter’s contract in April. On Tuesday, the Eagles signed Carter to a mammoth four-year, $152 million contract extension ($106 million guaranteed), making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in league history.
Eagles Legend Congratulates Jalen Carter on Contract Extension
Eagles legend Darius Slay congratulated Carter on X after NFL insider Adam Schefter announced the news. Slay played with Carter in Philadelphia for two seasons before he was released in 2025.
“Yes sir.. congrats to my dawg,” Slay wrote.
Carter’s lavish contract tops the previous highest average annual value for a defensive tackle set by Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension in June.
Yes sir.. congrats to my dawg https://t.co/oeyJibtute
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) July 28, 2026
Carter had a legendary college football career, winning two national championships with the Georgia Bulldogs. He was selected No. 9 overall by the Eagles in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed a fully guaranteed, four-year, $21.8 million contract and a $13.2 million signing bonus.
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He quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive tackles, just missing out on the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award to Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. Despite the disappointment, Carter made the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team after tallying 33 total tackles (20 solo), one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles.
Carter was a key cog in the Eagles team that won Super Bowl LIX after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. The star defensive tackle has registered 108 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 37 QB hits, 13.5 sacks, 13 passes defended, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery for a score, and earned two Pro Bowl selections and one second-team All-Pro nod in 2024 so far in his career.
Last season, Carter earned a PFN Defensive Tackle Impact score of 81.3, ranking him at No. 12 in the league.
While speaking to reporters on July 17, Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt pointed out the areas of improvement for Carter next season.
“He has to be consistent with doing the little things,” Hurtt said. “We’ve all talked about the talent and overall potential that he has in the flash plays, but it’s the consistency of doing the small things the right way all the time. That’s a big piece for him. There’s an edge. There’s always a fine line, the edge and the tenacity that he plays with.”
The Eagles also signed defensive tackle Jordan Davis to a three-year, $78 million contract extension ($65 million guaranteed) in March, making him the highest-paid nose tackle in league history.
