In his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Carter proved why he was one of the most highly anticipated prospects entering the NFL. Despite narrowly missing out on the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year title, which was awarded to Will Anderson Jr., Carter made an impressive mark on the field.
Carter demonstrated his prowess through a series of commendable statistics. Over the course of 16 games, he amassed 33 tackles, six sacks, nine quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. Notably, he returned a fumble for a touchdown, ranking second among rookie defensive tackles in sacks and tying for second in quarterback hits. Additionally, he led his peers in tackles for loss with a total of eight.
A Versatile Force
Interestingly, Carter nearly secured a sack on his very first NFL snap during the 2023 preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, showcasing his immediate impact potential. His versatility was noted early by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who experimented with Carter in various positions during training camp. At times, Carter even lined up on the edge in certain defensive packages, demonstrating his adaptability.
"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, reflecting on his flexible role.
Filling Big Shoes
The departure of longtime defensive line leader Fletcher Cox left a substantial void in the Eagles' defensive front. Carter, drawing parallels between his collegiate experience at Georgia and his role in the NFL, aims to step up and fill that gap.
“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,” Carter reflected.
Setting Personal and Team Goals
Though he keeps his personal goals private, Carter’s primary focus remains on team success. “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 stated emphatically.
The young defensive tackle found the break he took before his debut season to be the longest since his freshman year in college. "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," Carter recalled, indicating his eagerness to return to the game and make an impact.
Elevated Competition
As Carter navigates his rookie season, he acknowledges the heightened level of competition in the NFL. “I look at it as the same. It’s just the league. It’s going to be way better competition,” he noted.
Indeed, Jalen Carter’s rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles has been a journey marked by significant achievements and the promise of greater things to come. As he continues to develop and adapt, both his personal aspirations and contributions to the team’s success remain a focal point, all aimed towards the ultimate goal – clinching a Super Bowl victory.