T.J. Watt’s massive extension sets the market—But Jalen Carter’s price tag was always going to be this high

Well, well, well… T.J. Watt just signed a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers, officially becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. That’s over $41 million per year for a guy who rushes the passer. And while Cowboys fans are probably throwing up at what this means for Micah Parsons, I’ll be honest—this news barely moved me. Especially on the Jalen Carter front.

Why? Because anyone with a working brain and two eyes already knows Jalen Carter is next. And if you’ve been paying attention, this was always going to be the price tag.

Jalen Carter Is Worth Every Single Dollar

Jalen Carter in his first two seasons (incl. playoffs):

🦅 89.3 pass rush grade (4th)
🦅 125 pressures (4th)

The No. 45 player and No. 5 DI on the PFF50 pic.twitter.com/YLthd1SOfp

— PFF (@PFF) July 14, 2025

This isn’t just about the market being “reset.” It’s about what elite looks like on a football field, and Jalen Carter fits that description better than anyone not named Aaron Donald. The dude is a generational talent , plain and simple.

In just his second year, Carter already has Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods under his belt. He’s wrecking offensive lines, blowing up plays in the backfield, and doing things we haven’t seen since Donald was terrorizing the NFC West. He’s not going to be great. He already is. Not to mention, he may have single-handedly saved the Eagles season…

The Sack Jalen Carter had on Stafford late in the Divisional Game was one of the biggest plays of the season! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/w6QRa96d5T

— All About The Birds (@AATBirds) February 23, 2025

So yes, $40 million per year is a lot. But that’s the cost of doing business when you have a player of Jalen Carter’s caliber. This isn’t a luxury—this is a foundational investment.

Look, I get it. The Eagles are loaded with young defensive talent. Reed Blankenship will need a new deal soon. Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean will all be eligible down the line. But that’s a great problem to have.

When you draft well, you pay well. That’s how you keep winning.

And let’s be real: not all of these guys are going to break the bank. Some will get solid deals, some might walk, and others might get extended early before their price skyrockets. But the one guy you absolutely, no questions asked pay whatever it takes to keep?

Jalen Carter.

Howie Roseman Is Always 10 Steps Ahead

If there’s one thing Eagles fans should have complete faith in, it’s Howie Roseman navigating situations exactly like this.

The man is a cap wizard. He’s not getting blindsided by T.J. Watt’s contract. He saw this coming two years ago. You think he doesn’t already have a long-term plan in place for Carter, just waiting for the right time to strike?

This isn’t going to be a “do we pay him?” conversation. This is a “when” conversation. Because you don’t let unicorns walk out of the building. You pay them, build around them, and let them anchor your franchise for the next decade.

Join The Chase