Jalen Carter's Impactful Rookie Season with the Eagles
In his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Carter demonstrated why he was such a highly touted prospect upon entering the NFL. His presence on the field was palpable, contributing significantly to the team's defensive lineup.
Carter's performance was undeniably impressive, marked by 33 tackles, six sacks, nine quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles over 16 games. Particularly noteworthy was his ability to return a fumble for a touchdown, a feat that underscored his playmaking proficiency.
Although Will Anderson Jr. ultimately claimed the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year title, Carter’s near-miss in securing the honor does little to tarnish an outstanding debut season. He ranked second among rookie defensive tackles in sacks, tied for second in quarterback hits, and tied for first in tackles for loss with eight.
Reflecting on his NFL run, Carter expressed a grounded understanding of the challenges he faces. "I keep my goals private, man, because I didn't get my defensive player of the year. I just want to be the best. I want to connect with my team. The main goal is to win the Super Bowl," he shared. His focus on team success over individual accolades speaks volumes about his mindset as a professional athlete.
An early testament to Carter’s potential was nearly securing a sack on his very first NFL snap during the 2023 preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. Philadelphia's defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, capitalized on Carter’s versatility, experimenting by positioning him at various spots early in training camp. Carter even found himself occasionally lined up on the edge in certain defensive packages, a rare deployment for someone primarily known for his interior line strength. "It's good. It's fun. I actually haven't been on the edge that much, but I always tell them if you need me anywhere, we got a package for it when I'm on the edge, and we'll see what happens," Carter said with enthusiasm.
The departure of longtime defensive line leader Fletcher Cox left a considerable void in the Eagles' defensive front, a void that Carter was eager to help fill. Echoing his collegiate experiences at Georgia, Carter noted, "I'm looking forward to it a lot. It reminds me when I was at Georgia. I was behind JD [Jordan Davis], Travon Walker, all of them good guys. And when them guys went into the draft, it was me and my class coming up, and we had to take that step and take a big role in trying to win another national championship." This past experience in stepping up to lead no doubt bolstered his transition to the professional arena.
Carter's adaptability and readiness were further highlighted by his comments on the longer break he experienced before his debut season. "I was ready to play for a long time. That was the longest break I had from football since the start of my freshman year in college. So just getting back to it, I was ready, and I just made a play," he recalled, underscoring his eagerness to take to the field.
Reflecting on the heightened competition in the NFL, Carter maintained a levelheaded perspective. "I look at it as the same. It's just the league. It's going to be way better competition," he remarked, acknowledging the elevated level of play without being daunted by it.
As Carter continues to build on this solid foundation, his rookie season has certainly set the stage for a promising NFL career. His contributions to the Eagles have already started shaping the narrative of a player who balances individual prowess with a team-first mentality, aiming not just for personal milestones but for the ultimate team triumph: a Super Bowl victory.