Philadelphia, PA – June 8, 2025
Jalen Carter is coming off a rookie campaign most defensive linemen can only dream of. He’s a Super Bowl champion, an All-Pro selection, and the disruptive force that turned the middle of the Eagles’ defense into a war zone. And yet, ask new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio how impressed he is, and you’ll get a surprisingly measured answer.
“He played very well for us last year,” Fangio said this week, “but he can still improve a lot.”
That’s not a backhanded compliment. It’s a challenge.
While fans and media are already elevating Carter into the elite tier — throwing around comparisons to Aaron Donald and Chris Jones — Fangio isn’t ready to crown anyone just yet. And frankly, he’s right.
Carter’s talent is undeniable. His blend of explosiveness, leverage, and raw strength made him a nightmare for opposing guards. He racked up 42 tackles, 6 sacks, and 16 quarterback hits. He led all interior linemen in pass deflections. He even forced two fumbles that turned the tide in big games. But what the box score doesn’t show is that Carter disappeared for stretches. His pass rush win rate — just 12.9% — lags behind the likes of Quinnen Williams and Christian Wilkins. His stamina, particularly in up-tempo offenses, came into question. And in critical moments late in the season, it was veterans like Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat who delivered the knockout blows.
Fangio, the NFL’s stoic defensive architect, knows that greatness isn’t defined by flashes. It’s defined by consistency. It’s not about blowing up a play in the second quarter of Week 5 — it’s about dominating for 17 weeks and into February. That’s what separates stars from legends.
“The path for a guy like Carter likely leads to one place — becoming one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league,” Fangio admitted. “But only if he keeps growing.”
When asked about Fangio’s comments, Carter didn’t flinch. “I know what I did last year, and I know what I didn’t do,” he told reporters at OTA. “I got work to do. Ain’t no All-Pro going to change how I grind.”
That attitude speaks volumes — not defiant, but self-aware. Carter isn’t living in the hype. But whether he can break through it… remains to be seen.
The truth is harsh, and Fangio knows it. Aaron Donald didn’t wait until Year 3 to become a generational player. He didn’t need a reminder from his DC. He was the reminder. If Carter wants to live in that same tier — not as a “next Donald,” but as a name of his own — he’ll need more than raw ability and potential. He’ll need relentlessness, endurance, and full-season dominance.
Otherwise?
He’ll be just another talented DT who almost became elite. And in this league, almost doesn’t count.
