Jalen Hurts-led Eagles crushed the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LIX. Everyone applauded their efforts, but have they received the appreciation they truly deserve? Surprisingly, the answer is no. Around the Super Bowl, the Eagles decided to reward Saquon Barkley with $250,000 for his performance. Likewise, they had reportedly chosen to reward one of the youngest players on the roster. Curious about Jalen Hurts’s teammate who is about to land a $168 million deal? Let’s dive in!

According to ML Football, “[The] Eagles’ star defensive lineman Jalen Carter is projected to sign a four-year, $168 million contract extension when he is eligible next offseason.” It’s time for defensive tackle Jalen Carter to reap rewards after hard work. And his contract details reflect that shine.

The former Georgia Bulldog signed a four-year rookie deal worth $21,806,014 with the Eagles in 2023. That means he will be under contract for two more years. However, by the end of the 2025-26 season, only one year will remain on his contract. So, the Eagles aren’t giving any other franchise a chance to swoop in and steal this beast. But why such a massive contract for such a young player?

Since the 2023 season, he has recorded 10.5 sacks. In two seasons, Jalen Carter has managed 75 total tackles, 45 of which were solo. But wait, it’s not just about the numbers! Remember the Eagles’ NFC Championship Game?

In the fourth quarter, the clock was running down at 1:14, and the score was 28-22 with the Eagles in the lead. But when Rams QB Matthew Stafford was at the 15-yard line on 3rd-and-2, Eagles fans were holding their breath. Enter Jalen Carter, slicing through the offensive line and sacking Stafford right in his face. What if Stafford had thrown it to a Rams WR or TE before Carter got to him? That play changed everything!

As per experts, Carter was the true Eagles’ hero for the season, with all due respect to the other players’ contributions. And that’s exactly why the Eagles won’t hesitate to keep him for the future—even if it means shelling out $168 million. But as this news was hitting Philadelphia, fans and analysts were already buzzing about another major move by the Eagles, involving a Kansas City Chiefs player.

Jalen Hurts’ Eagles’ standout move

Since free agency began, the Eagles have lost Josh Sweat, who famously sacked Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX, and Milton Williams, who signed with another team. Meanwhile, star defender Brandon Graham shocked the NFL world by announcing his retirement. Naturally, there’s concern about the Eagles’ defensive strength. But no need to panic, Eagles fans!

Vic Fangio has stolen one of the key pieces from Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. In a shocking move, Jalen Hurts’s Eagles have signed former Patriots and Chiefs linebacker Joshua Uche. And the best part? They landed the 26-year-old defensive talent for just $1.92 million on a one-year deal.

Joshua Uche hit free agency after completing his rookie contract with the New England Patriots in 2023. They re-signed him for one year on a $3 million deal, but only as a free agent. Then, midway through the 2024 season, Uche was traded to the Chiefs.

During the 2024 season, he managed 17 solo tackles while sacking the opponent’s QB twice. However, these stats don’t fully reflect his potential, as he only played 13 games last season.

It looks like the Eagles are set to make a major defensive push in the upcoming season. With Hurts and Saquon Barkley leading the offense, and a defense featuring Jalen Carter, Azeez Ojulari, and Josh Uche, let’s see just how far the Eagles can go this time!