New Jalen Carter Trade Rumors Clarify Status with Eagles amid NFL Free Agency Buzz

Even though Jordan Davis' contract extension led to questions about Jalen Carter's future, the Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly not intent on moving their star defensive tackle.

On Wednesday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Adam Schefter explained that the Eagles "never" made Carter available in a trade, nor did they ever shop him around to gauge interest.

The Eagles agreed to a three-year, $78 million extension with Davis on March 7. He is now tied to the club through the 2029 season.

Given the financial short- and long-term financial outlook for the Eagles, there was talk that Davis' deal might suggest they would look to trade Carter for draft assets.

Even though the Eagles weren't shopping Carter around, other teams were reportedly testing their resolve. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on March 8 that opposing clubs were calling about Carter.

It also made sense if the Eagles wanted to explore the market because this is the first offseason that Carter is eligible to sign a long-term extension. He is still under contract for at least one more season, plus the fifth-year option that will have to be decided on by May 1.

Despite coming off a down season that was impacted by injuries to both of his shoulders, which required surgery and caused him to miss four games, Carter's option seems like an easy decision for the Eagles.

It will guarantee Carter $27.1 million in 2027 since he is a multi-time Pro Bowler. The Eagles will also have Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean eligible to sign new deals next offseason.

Philadelphia already has eight players making at least $20 million per season. Everyone in that group is signed through at least 2027, with Carter, Mitchell and DeJean likely to join the fray when they get paid.

A.J. Brown could still be a trade candidate with the New England Patriots reportedly interested in the star receiver despite their free-agent agreement with Romeo Doubs.

It's hard to see how the Eagles make a deal work given the cap ramifications of moving on from Brown, but general manager Howie Roseman has made a career out of being arguably the smartest and most shrewd executive in the NFL.

One thing Roseman said earlier in the offseason when asked about the possibility of trading Brown is it's hard to make your team better "if you're just subtracting great players."

Carter certainly qualifies as a great player. He is one year removed from being arguably the best defensive player on a team that dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59.

It never really made sense for the Eagles to consider trading Carter, so it's not a surprise based on Schefter's report that they don't seem interested in doing so.