When the Cleveland Browns finally signaled they were open to moving two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, the Philadelphia Eagles naturally emerged as one of the frontrunners. Fresh off a Super Bowl victory and boasting a loaded roster, the Birds had everything going for them — a championship core, extra draft capital, and a general manager in Howie Roseman who isn’t afraid to swing for the fences. But as the dust settles on Garrett’s shocking move to the Los Angeles Rams, sources close to the situation claim the Eagles may have blown their one clear shot at dominance — and the fallout could reshape the NFC for years to come.
The Deal That Almost Was
According to reports, the Eagles put together a serious package for Garrett, offering a selection of picks plus a young edge rusher — either Nolan Smith or Jalyx Hunt. But the Browns weren’t interested. They wanted a premium player, someone Roseman viewed as untouchable. And that’s where things got complicated.
“The Los Angeles Rams ended up being the team that landed Garrett, parting ways with the premium player the Eagles were reluctant to part with,” wrote Jeff Kerr of SI. “The Eagles offered either Nolan Smith or Jalyx Hunt, but neither compared to Jared Verse — who the Rams were reluctant to part ways with in order to get a deal done.”
Insiders say the Rams knew they had to trade Verse to land Garrett. The Eagles had a comparable piece: Jalen Carter. But Philadelphia reportedly balked. “Having Carter as the centerpiece in a Garrett trade was too rich for the Eagles’ blood,” Kerr added. “The Eagles were reluctant to part ways with a premium player that is critical for their future, even if they could have landed Garrett — a player they coveted.”
Now, was this the right call? On the surface, yes. Carter is a 25-year-old defensive tackle who has already established himself as a disruptive force. But here’s the thing — the Eagles didn’t just say no to Garrett. They essentially bet the house on Carter being their cornerstone. And that bet comes with enormous risk.
The Jalen Carter Dilemma
On paper, the Eagles have no urgent need to extend Carter. They just picked up his fifth-year option, and 2026 will be only his fourth NFL season. If something goes wrong — an injury, a suspension, a catastrophic off-field incident — Roseman could move on without the kind of cap nightmare that followed the Browns after the Deshaun Watson contract.
But here’s what keeps executives up at night: What if Carter plays so well in Year 4 that his price tag skyrockets? What if he puts it all together, wrecks offenses as an almost always double-teamed interior force, and hits double-digit sacks with career-best marks in tackles, tackles for losses, pressures, and QB hits? His AAV could go from starting with a three to starting with a four — joining Garrett and a select few defensive players making quarterback money.
And that’s the trap. The Eagles are reportedly worried that waiting could force them into a bidding war for their own player. “If Carter is hitting All-Pro, DPOTY numbers, his next contract could reset the market for his position heading into the 2027 calendar year,” one league insider told us.
The Zack Baun Precedent
Consider the case of Zack Baun. The Eagles’ middle linebacker signed a prove-it deal, played lights out, and then landed a three-year, $51 million contract — making him one of the highest-paid inside linebackers in the league. If the Eagles had locked him up earlier in the season, they might have saved enough to sign the next Baun. Now they’re paying top dollar.
With Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and others all a year or two away from new contracts, the Eagles are facing a ticking salary cap clock. If Carter is truly the guy — and sources say he is — then why not lock him up now and prove definitively why he wasn’t included in the Garrett trade?
What’s Next?
The Eagles are reportedly committed to Carter as a cornerstone of their defense. But with Garrett now in Los Angeles, the NFC just got a lot more dangerous. The Rams have a game-wrecker on the edge. The Eagles have a question mark in the middle — albeit a talented one. If Carter doesn’t deliver on his immense potential, the decision to keep him over pursuing Garrett could haunt Philadelphia for years.
One thing is certain: the pressure is on. And the football world is watching.
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