The Philadelphia Eagles are poised to have a formidable contender for the AP National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2025, with 24-year-old defensive tackle Jalen Carter leading the charge. While linebacker Zack Baun was a finalist for the award in 2024, Carter’s meteoric rise has made him a prime candidate for the honor in the upcoming season.
Carter has taken the NFL by storm over the past two years. In 2024, he earned a Pro Bowl selection and a Second-Team All-Pro nod, showcasing his dominance in 16 games. His stat line—six passes defended, two forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks, 42 total tackles, and 16 quarterback hits—only begins to tell the story. Carter’s impact was so profound that opposing teams rarely dared to block him with a single defender. His disruptive presence on the field even drew high praise from Los Angeles Rams legend Aaron Donald, who called Carter his “replacement” this season.
What makes Carter’s performance even more astonishing is a stunning revelation from former Eagles star Jeremiah Trotter. During an appearance on 94 WIP Sports Radio, Trotter shared insider buzz that Carter “doesn’t even know how to play the position yet.” According to Trotter, Carter has been relying purely on raw talent to dominate opposing offenses. “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.”
This revelation is both shocking and exhilarating for Eagles fans. If Carter is already a game-wrecker without fully mastering the nuances of his position, his potential for 2025 and beyond is downright terrifying for opposing offenses. As he continues to refine his technique and deepen his understanding of the defensive tackle role, Carter could elevate his game to unprecedented heights, making him a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s defense and a leading contender for the NFL’s top defensive honors.