Why Eagles Have to Prioritize Jalen Carter Contract Extension Over Moro Ojomo
Why Eagles Have to Prioritize Jalen Carter Contract Extension Over Moro Ojomo
The Eagles have to find a way to sign Carter, who is an All-Pro level player Jeff Kerr|
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Philadelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Carter aren't at an impasse -- yet.
As the summer unfolds, the questions will arise regarding Carter's future and how the Eagles handle his contract extension going forward. The Eagles and Carter haven't reached a contract extension, which is odd considering the two sides were well on their way towards getting one done this spring.
When the Eagles and Jordan Davis agreed to an extension this spring, it was not a matter of if -- but when -- Carter would get his done. Carter was even at the Jefferson Health Training Complex to show his support of Davis getting his extension.
Carter's representation (Drew Rosenhaus) prefers a massive extension, something that would reset the market for his position. There's a barometer set thanks to the Jeffery Simmons deal, a rare Carter's camp can start with.
What if that price is too rich for the Eagles? Would the Eagles pivot and move on from Carter?
There's another defensive tackle on the roster the Eagles could sign to a contract extension this season. Moro Ojomo is a free agent after the year.
Could the Eagles actually pivot from Carter and try to sign Ojomo? They won't be able to sign both players.
The Eagles have to sign Carter
Ojomo is a very good player, someone who could play his way into a contract similar to what Milton Williams received with the New England Patriots. The former seventh-round pick had that good of a season for the Eagles last year, and will cash in this coming offseason if he replicates that performance.
While reaching a contract extension with Ojomo would be easier -- and more team-friendly -- the Eagles have to find a way to get a deal done with Carter.
Carter won this team a Super Bowl two years ago. If Carter doesn't sack Matthew Stafford with 1:14 left in a six-point game with the Los Angeles Rams at the Eagles' 13-yard line (on third-and-2), the Eagles don't have a Super Bowl title. On the next play, Carter got the interior pressure to force Stafford to throw the ball away on fourth-and-11 and seal the win for the Eagles.
That was the game-changing player the Eagles saw when they traded up for Carter. He wa san All-pro in just his second season, and his potential is still sky high.
Carter has a higher ceiling than Ojomo, someone who could reach the level of a $40 million per year defensive tackle. The Eagles have witnessed the game changer Carter can be, even if he didn't live up to his potential last year.
Do the Eagles want to see Carter mature more? Absolutely, as last season didn't help his case towards getting an extension done.
At the end of the day, production on the field matters. If Carter has been an off-field distraction, the Eagles have done an excellent job of hiding that information.
Carter has shown he can be a dominant player, but the Eagles want him to be consistently dominant. With two years left on his contract -- and the fifth-year option picked up -- the Eagles are willing to wait and see if Carter can earn that record-setting money.
Is Carter willing to wait? This is where things can become tricky.
If Carter is truly part of that core with Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Jordan Davis, Jalyx Hunt, and Jonathan Greenard -- the Eagles should have no issue making sure he's with the franchise for years to come. No matter the circumstance.
There are reasons to pivot towards Ojomo and use that money elsewhere, but players like Carter are one-of-one. It's hard to find game-changing players like Carter in the NFL.
No disrespect to Ojomo, but a franchise can let him walk. Players like Carter can't leave the building.
Published 15 minutes ago
JEFF KERRJeff Kerr covers the Philadelphia Eagles for On SI, part of the Sports Illustrated network and has covered the NFL for 10 years for CBS Sports. He's covered two Super Bowls, three conference championship games, and multiple playoff games in his career. Jeff also covers the Phillies for 97.3 ESPN FM in South Jersey and has been on the Phillies beat for multiple years. He also hosts multiple podcasts including an Eagles one for On SI.
Follow JeffKerrPHLBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
