The Philadelphia Eagles have a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in their midst for the 2025 NFL season, and it’s none other than 24-year-old defensive tackle Jalen Carter. While linebacker Zack Baun was a finalist for the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2024, Carter is poised to steal the spotlight in 2025 with his explosive play and limitless potential.
Carter has been a force to be reckoned with over his first two seasons in the NFL. In 2024, he earned a Pro Bowl selection and a Second-Team All-Pro nod, showcasing his dominance in 16 games. His stat line is impressive: six passes defended, two forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks, 42 total tackles, and 16 quarterback hits. However, these numbers only scratch the surface of his impact. Carter’s presence on the field is so commanding that opposing offenses rarely assign just one blocker to contain him, a testament to his disruptive power.
Even Los Angeles Rams legend Aaron Donald, one of the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history, has taken notice, going so far as to call Carter his “replacement” during the 2024 season. High praise from a future Hall of Famer underscores the kind of talent Carter brings to the Eagles’ defense.
What makes Carter’s dominance even more remarkable is a stunning claim made by former Eagles star Jeremiah Trotter during an appearance on 94 WIP Sports Radio. Trotter revealed that sources within the Eagles’ organization believe Carter “doesn’t even know how to play the position yet” and is relying purely on raw talent. “Nothing he’s doing surprises me,” Trotter said. “Word is on the street, he doesn’t even know how to play the position yet. From guys I talk to inside, he’s just playing off of raw talent. The sky is the limit for this kid, I’m excited about his future.”
If Trotter’s sources are correct, Carter’s ceiling is almost unimaginable. To think that he’s already a game-wrecker without fully mastering the nuances of his position is nothing short of astonishing. Should Carter refine his technique and deepen his understanding of the defensive tackle role in 2025, opposing offenses could be in for a nightmare.
As the Eagles gear up for the 2025 season, Carter’s trajectory suggests he could not only contend for the Defensive Player of the Year Award but also cement himself as one of the NFL’s premier defensive talents. With raw ability already making him a standout, the idea of a more polished Jalen Carter is enough to send shivers down the spines of quarterbacks league-wide. Eagles fans have every reason to be thrilled about what’s to come from this young star.