Both 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 will be as well.
Carter’s 2027 compensation will be more than double Smith’s expected option number, being a two-time Pro Bowler. Players chosen for two more more Pro Bowls on the original ballot match the franchise tag value at their positions. The defensive tackle tag came in at $27.13MM this year. 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 top option tier at their respective positions among the 2023 draftees. Carter and Flowers’ prices lead the pack among ’23 first-rounders, surpassing even the numbers going to C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young. Flowers’ $27.3MM number leads the way, as the wide receiver franchise tag checked in just north of the D-tackle number this year.
Although Carter came into the NFL with considerable baggage — which allowed the Eagles to land the impact defender at No. 9 overall — he has delivered, becoming one of 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, however, figures to be prioritized in the way Jordan Davis was when he signed a March extension.
The Eagles gave Davis a three-year, $78MM extension. Because Carter is a three technique responsible for backfield disruption, he may become 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 field. But Davis sits as the next-closest DT on a multiyear accord.
Carter’s asking price figures to be lofty, pointing to a future in which the Eagles have two players among the 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. Even though Carter came into the league with baggage and was effectively suspended for a game — being ejected before the Cowboys’ first offensive play on opening night last year — for spitting on Dak Prescott, he has become 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 first Round 1 wide receiver extended with two rookie-deal years left on a contract in the option era) illustrated. Acting this offseason with Carter would make sense, as 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 year with an All-Pro-caliber season.
The Eagles traded up one spot for Carter in 2023, with the Bears sliding down to No. 10 and drafting All-Pro right tackle Darnell Wright. Viewed as perhaps the 2023 class’ top talent, Carter fell due to character concerns. A handful of teams passed on Carter after he was hit with misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. These charges came in connection with 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 in this case, avoiding jail time, but some teams removed him from their draft boards as a result of the accident.
Beyond the spitting incident, Carter has avoided controversy in the NFL. He finished with six sacks as a rookie and totaled 4.5 (to go 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 because of procedures on both shoulders. The Eagles did not place Carter on IR, though, and he returned in Week 17. The 2025 absences are unlikely to impact a Carter extension push.
I am so interested in what that contract extension is gonna look like. I can already hear the money trucks backing up.
I’m sure Carter will spit on the first offer
Dakota spit first. Get over it
Dude he spit on the ground and Carter spit on him. That’s a clown move a man baby would do.
I don’t even like the Cowboys but it’s weird seeing people trying to defend a grown man spitting on another man durong a game. Weird.
Humor and Philadelphia are diametrically opposed historically.
It’s my understanding that if every street in your city reeks of urine, it prevents you from developing the ability to laugh at yourself.
Imo it makes the most sense to extend him this year and lower his cap hit in order to create space to bolster the roster.
You never know who might become available between now and the end of the ’26 season.
I will trust Howie. Thanks.
Nobody asked you what you would do, dork.
Some of you really make normal Eagles fans look bad with your cult like nonsense.
And no one asked you either. You would draft on Madden ratings, dork.
I’ve probably been watching the NFL longer than you’ve been alive, you tryhard casual.
Everybody comments here. It’s an NFL rumors site. Only you seem to have a problem with people doing so. Kick rocks, dweeb.
Doubt it. Front office want to be.
Why are you arguing with this person. His/her/they/whatever’s name is literally notimportant
Because important is correct and the fake eagles fan is clueless?
I expect the Eagles to fall off this year – which makes paying multiple defensive lineman a poor long-term proposition.
How so? In what way?
They already fell off last year so this is their up year.
Aaron Donald #2
A number of teams passed on Jalen Carter for character reasons. I’m glad to see he proved them wrong.
Colts took Anthony Richardson at #4 and the Raiders took Tyree Wilson at #7. Carter went #9. Ouch.
Did he prove them wrong? His character is still in question. Skill was never doubted.
Lots of rocks being thrown. Seems changing ones ways is not a thing.
I just love watching the big boys play. To me the games are won and lost on the o-line and the d-line. I just enjoy the games and the Eagles.
Howie the Cap master. It’s great how he can somehow pay everyone