Stay or Go: Breaking Down Every Eagles Contract Decision This Offseason
From Jalen Carter's mega-deal to Tanner McKee's trade value, every Eagles player eligible for a contract extension faces a defining offseason. Here's the breakdown.
The JAKIB Staff
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The Extension Class of 2026-2027
The Eagles are entering a critical window where decisions made in the next 12-24 months will determine the trajectory of the franchise. Several key players are either eligible for contract extensions right now or approaching the end of their rookie deals. Here's where each one stands.
Jalen Carter — STAY (But Not at $40 Million)
Carter is the no-brainer. The former first-round pick has franchise defensive tackle talent, and the Eagles aren't letting him walk. But after a disappointing 2025 season, the price tag has dropped from the $40 million annual number some projected to something more in the $30-35 million range. Expect the Eagles to either extend him this offseason or pick up the fifth-year option and revisit after 2026. The workout videos and social media posts suggest his camp is already positioning for negotiations.
Moro Ojo-Moh — GO
This is the one that stings. The seventh-round pick has developed into a legitimate NFL edge rusher — 38 tackles and six sacks in 2025 as a 24-year-old. But with Carter, Cooper DeJean, and Quinyon Mitchell commanding the big money, Ojo-Moh is the casualty. He'll hit free agency after 2026 looking for $20-25 million annually, and the Eagles likely won't match. It's the Haason Reddick problem all over again — letting homegrown pass rushers leave because the money is allocated elsewhere.
Nolan Smith — PICK UP THE FIFTH YEAR (Maybe)
At $15 million for a fifth-year option, Nolan Smith is an expensive bet on potential. The former 30th overall pick has flashed but can't stay healthy. If he produces double-digit sacks in 2026, that option looks like a bargain. If he misses time again, the Eagles will let him walk and use the savings elsewhere. This is entirely in Nolan's hands.
Tyler Steen — HISTORY SAYS NO
Here's the sneaky stat: Tyler Steen led the Eagles in offensive snaps last season with 1,009, allowing just two sacks per PFF. That's starter-level production. But history tells us the Eagles rotate right guards regularly and rarely commit long-term to the position. Steen's extension will depend entirely on whether he takes another step in 2026.
Tanner McKee — DRAFT DAY TRADE CHIP
The signing of Andy Dalton changed McKee's outlook. With Hurts entrenched as the starter and Dalton providing veteran insurance, McKee becomes expendable — and valuable. A quarterback-needy team could offer a mid-round pick on draft day for a young, cheap signal-caller with upside. It's the smart move for both sides, and the Eagles likely brought Dalton in specifically to facilitate this.
Jalex Hunt — WAIT AND SEE
Hunt needs a full season of consistent production before the Eagles commit. The tools are there, but edge rushers who tease without delivering a breakout year rarely get paid top dollar. If he hits 10 sacks in 2026, the conversation changes dramatically. Until then, he's on the bubble.
The Bottom Line
The Eagles' core — Carter, DeJean, Mitchell — will get paid. Everyone else is either locked up already or fighting for their future. The real risk isn't overspending on extensions. It's losing complementary pieces like Ojo-Moh and potentially Smith while betting the defense can regenerate through the draft. That bet has failed before in Philadelphia.
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