Each the Eagles’ 2023 first-round picks will see their fifth-year options exercised. With Nolan Smith‘s 2027 salary now fully guaranteed, The Athletic’s Zach Berman reports Jalen Carter‘s might be as well.
Carter’s 2027 compensation might be greater than double Smith’s expected option number, being a two-time Pro Bowler. Players chosen for 2 more more Pro Bowls on the unique ballot match the franchise tag value at their positions. The defensive tackle tag got here in at $27.13MM this yr. Teams have until 3pm CT on Friday to exercise options on 2023 first-rounders.
Carter, Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers are eligible for the highest option tier at their respective positions among the many 2023 draftees. Carter and Flowers’ prices lead the pack amongst ’23 first-rounders, surpassing even the numbers going to C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young. Flowers’ $27.3MM number leads the way in which, because the wide receiver franchise tag checked in only north of the D-tackle number this yr.
Although Carter got here into the NFL with considerable baggage — which allowed the Eagles to land the impact defender at No. 9 overall — he has delivered, becoming one among the league’s top D-tackles. Carter earned Pro Bowl invites in 2024 and ’25, boosting his option price. He earned second-team All-Pro acclaim in 2024, as he helped the Eagles to a Super Bowl LIX rout despite Fletcher Cox retiring the previous offseason. The Eagles have moved on from Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick and Jaelan Phillips; Carter, nonetheless, figures to be prioritized in the way in which Jordan Davis was when he signed a March extension.
The Eagles gave Davis a three-year, $78MM extension. Because Carter is a 3 technique liable for backfield disruption, he may develop into the candidate to unseat Chris Jones atop the NFL’s D-tackle salary hierarchy. Jones has held that distinction since signing a five-year, $158.75MM Chiefs deal in March 2024. The Bengals gave Dexter Lawrence a one-year, $28MM extension to bridge the gap between Jones and the sector. But Davis sits because the next-closest DT on a multiyear accord.
Carter’s asking price figures to be lofty, pointing to a future by which the Eagles have two players among the many top-five DT earners. Jones signed his latest Chiefs contract when the cap stood at $255.4MM; it now resides at $301.2MM, providing Carter’s camp with more ammo. Regardless that Carter got here into the league with baggage and was effectively suspended for a game — being ejected before the Cowboys’ first offensive play on opening night last yr — for spitting on Dak Prescott, he has develop into a cornerstone player for the Eagles.
A January report suggested Davis and Carter were atop Howie Roseman‘s extension priority list. The Eagles have been known to act early on deals, as their O-line dealings and the 2024 DeVonta Smith extension (the primary Round 1 wide receiver prolonged with two rookie-deal years left on a contract in the choice era) illustrated. Acting this offseason with Carter would make sense, because the cap — based on recent growth — will likely be north of $320MM in 2027. Carter could also boost his case for a deal well beyond $30MM per yr with an All-Pro-caliber season.
The Eagles traded up one spot for Carter in 2023, with the Bears sliding all the way down to No. 10 and drafting All-Pro right tackle Darnell Wright. Viewed as perhaps the 2023 class’ top talent, Carter fell because of character concerns. A handful of teams passed on Carter after he was hit with misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. These charges got here in reference to the accident that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy on Jan. 15, 2023 (LeCroy and Willock were in a separate vehicle). Carter reached a plea deal on this case, avoiding jail time, but some teams removed him from their draft boards consequently of the accident.
Beyond the spitting incident, Carter has avoided controversy within the NFL. He finished with six sacks as a rookie and totaled 4.5 (to go together with a career-high 12 tackles for loss) in 2024. ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric ranked Carter fourth in 2024 and 18th in 2025. He missed more time in 2025 due to procedures on each shoulders. The Eagles didn’t place Carter on IR, though, and he returned in Week 17. The 2025 absences are unlikely to affect a Carter extension push.