Jalen Carter’s reputation as a game-wrecker now comes with a growing cost. The Eagles star defender finds himself under the NFL’s microscope once again, with discipline trailing dominance. With a tough game ahead, Carter must balance strength with self-control.

The 22-year-old’s fines are piling up fast. The latest came after Week 3, when the NFL docked him $11,593 for taunting following a blocked field goal against the Rams, bringing his 2025 total to $68,815. Just weeks earlier, he was fined $57,222 and suspended one game for spitting on Dak Prescott before kickoff in Week 1.

That’s just this season.

In 2024, Carter was fined $11,817 for striking Connor Heyward in Week 15, and $17,445 for an open-handed slap on Tyler Biadasz during the NFC Championship. The pattern is clear: Carter’s intensity is elite, but it’s coming at a steep price.

The talent is generational, the kind that had him pegged as the potential first-overall pick in 2023 before off-field trouble sent him tumbling to Philly at number 9.

The Eagles got a steal, no doubt. But they also inherited the baggage. Who exactly can speak Carter’s language? Who understands the magnetic pull of post-whistle aggression?

Enter Ndamukong Suh, a man who knows a thing or two about being the villain. Suh, who was also fined multiple times as a rookie, recently dropped some wisdom on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, offering a masterclass in controlled chaos.

Old-school justice meets modern discipline

“My heart of hearts would have been like ‘Jalen, man, take that one on the chin’,” Suh began, before explaining the art of retaliation. “But, then two series later… you go ahead, clean hit, put that elbow right in his ribs… Are you really sure you want to start this smoke?” A philosophy of strategic physicality.

Suh’s core message. “You can’t react right away,” he finished, “and you really get it back where it truthfully hurts within the game. Within the rules of the game.” That’s the lesson right there. Carter’s dominance can’t cost his team 15 yards. His fire has to burn between the whistles, not after. And this Sunday, that fire is needed.

The undefeated Buccaneers are rolling into town, and the matchup presents a fascinating problem. The Bucs’ rushing attack is cooking, ranked 7th in the league (130.7 yds/game). On the flip side, the Eagles’ run defense has been surprisingly porous, sitting at 25th and allowing 133.3 yds/game.

The math isn’t pretty, especially with Todd Bowles. Yet, the great equalizer is supposed to be Carter, the man in the middle capable of blowing up any given play. 

Philly’s offense has its own weird identity crisis: 27th in total yards but 8th in scoring, thanks to a red zone offense that’s a perfect 100% on TDs. But this game feels like it’ll be won in the trenches. Can Bucky Irving find running lanes against a line anchored by Carter and Jordan Davis?

That’s the question analysts are watching closely. For Carter, the challenge is simpler, yet infinitely more complex: channel the aggression, dominate the opponent, and for the love of everything, keep your wallet in your pocket.