Would a Jalen Carter Trade be a Bad Thing as Future with the Eagles is Up in the Air Amid Trade Rumors

Is it really possible that Jalen Carter could not be an Eagle next season?

That seems to be one of the biggest talking points in the world of football right now, as the NFL prepares to officially kick off the new league year this week with NFL Free Agency. Not only will multiple players sign new lucrative deals to leave and return to their teams, but teams will finally be able to complete trades for the 2026 season.

One of the biggest names in trade talks this year has been edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Crosby is not only one of the league’s best edge rushers but one of the best overall players in the league, and his being in trade talks meant that teams were going to have to pay a hefty price to trade for the 28-year-old.

The Philadelphia Eagles were indeed among the teams trying to acquire Crosby, but ultimately, the Baltimore Ravens’ offer of two first-round picks topped whatever Philadelphia was willing to offer. One of the deals discussed involved the Eagles trading former All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Why would the Eagles want to part ways with one of their best player on defense who’s just three years into his NFL career? You say that, but Crosby is a top-tier and once-in-a-decade player, so the Eagles would be dumb not to try to throw their hat in the ring for the Mad Maxx sweepstakes, even if it meant trading Carter away.

However, following the Crosby trade to Baltimore, it’s now being reported that the Eagles are receiving calls about Carter, and the Eagles are listening.

The #Eagles have received trade calls on Jalen Carter, per @JFowlerESPN.

”With defensive tackle Jordan Davis now extended, Philly also must weigh whether to extend Jalen Carter, who is eligible for a new deal. I'm told Philly has received trade calls on Carter.” pic.twitter.com/f33qFLankc

— Philly Sports Reports (@PhlySprtsReprts) March 8, 2026

Now, Howie Roseman is no idiot, he is by far and away the best general manager in the league, and his team building stragies through drafting, free agency, and trading especially are the best in the business. So why would he trade Jalen Carter?

Well, the plain answer is, his value is some of the best in the league for a player of his caliber. Carter is swooned as the next defensive great in the NFL, and while his stats don’t always show it, his impact on the field is one of the most significant and best in the whole league.

He’s going to very likely be a multi-time All-Pro, a potential Defensive Player of the Year winner, and will be top five at his position for close to the next decade. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime player who the Eagles basically stole back in his draft, who completes their very dominant defense. You’d have to be a fool to trade someone like that.

As much as I love Carter, and I personally would not trade him, I can understand and can see a world as to why the Eagles would trade the 24-year-old.

Simply put, the value that Carter possesses, particularly after Crosby’s two first-round pick trade, you could only imagine what teams were to offer the Eagles for Carter, who still has at least two seasons of control of his rookie deal.

If a team is willing to trade two first-round picks and either an impactful player or a multitude of other high to mid-tier picks, the Eagles have to listen to those offers. Obviously, you have Carter now, but hitting on another guy like him is so hard. The draft capital the Eagles would own would be some of the most valuable in the league. Roseman and co. could be in the running for any top star they wish, or could continue to build depth with their extra picks.

Take value and draft capital out, though. Carter’s impact on the field is tremendous, whether it’s causing his own havoc or creating havoc for others through double teams. His talent helps others on the front line produce, and he is needed to help this defensive line succeed.

Again, very true, and that’s my biggest reason for wanting to keep him, but to the Eagles, they feel they have not only depth, but young, locked-down players at the defensive tackle position. The team just re-signed Jordan Davis to a three-year, $78 million deal, keeping him in Philadelphia for the future. Along with Davis, Ty Robinson, Moro Ojomo, and Byron Young make up an already deep tackle room when you include Carter. If they can find one more solid guy, they would fill out that room and may not even need Carter.

Both those reasons may be why the Eagles are taking these trade calls, but in my opnion the most significant reason why comes down to money and the future of the Eagles. Once the new year opens, the Eagles can officially offer Carter a new long-term extension that will kick in once his rookie deal is done. When you factor in his age and skill, and you add in the fact that his teammate just signed for $26 annually, Carter’s new contract is going to be a very expensive one on the Eagles’ books.

The Eagles will find a way to make it work if he signs a new deal, but as the next few years come up, the Eagles will have many mouths to feed when it comes to second contracts for rookie deal players, as Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell both are eligible next year. On top of potentially needing a new deal for quarterback Jalen Hurts and paying top dollar for other stars like Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun, the Eagles could be tight for money over the next few seasons.

Carter taking up say $30+ million on their cap is a huge hit for a player. He rightfully deserves it, but it could be a huge hit for the Eagles, who may have to go cheap in other areas of play to support the hefty price tag for not just Carter but Davis as well. Add in DeJean and Mitchell, both likely being the highest paid at their position when they get their deals next offseason, and you could see four guys on the Eagles defense making $100+ million annually.

So when you see the depth the team has and the value you could get for Carter, that’s where the trade talks come from. The Eagles trading Carter could improve their depth with multiple draft picks and capital, and it gives a chance for the front office to extend other players in the future.

They want to continue the success that they have with this current group of young studs and veterans, but want to keep the success going over the next few years and turn this into a true dynasty. It could be a tough and ballsy move from Roseman to deal Carter, but if they get a trade they like that they think could help them get back to a Super Bowl, it’s not the craziest idea in the world to trade him at this time.

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