NEW ORLEANS – During the NFC divisional-round match on January 19, the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Los Angeles Rams in a snowy game that ended with a tight 28-22 victory for the Eagles. A crucial moment came when second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter sacked Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had an open receiver in the end zone, which prevented a potential collapse for the Eagles.

However, Eagles’ senior defensive assistant and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt prefers to highlight a different moment in Carter’s postseason journey that showcases his football intelligence, even if it didn’t spark major headlines.

This moment occurred just a week earlier against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. In the first quarter, Carter recognized a pass play call from the Packers due to the positioning of right tackle Zach Tom’s foot. He immediately alerted teammate Nolan Smith, leading to Smith sacking Packers quarterback Jordan Love for a significant loss of 14 yards.

“His intelligence level is remarkably high; people often underestimate how sharp he truly is. He’s not just book-smart but adept at making adjustments and reading situations during the game,” Hurtt commented on Wednesday, a day before the Eagles’ Super Bowl showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. “Coaching him is a real joy.”

Although Carter dealt with an illness in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, he participated fully in Thursday’s practice according to the participation report. If he can provide effective interior pressure on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes this Sunday, he could greatly influence the Super Bowl outcome.

His path to this significant moment in football hasn’t been straightforward.

From a rocky NFL start to rising star

On March 1, 2023, the same day he was to meet with reporters at the 2023 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Carter turned himself into the Athens (Georgia) police after being charged in connection with a tragic crash that claimed the lives of a teammate and a recruiting staff member, whom authorities said was driving while over twice the legal alcohol limit. Carter entered a no-contest plea to two charges of reckless driving, linked to racing behavior. He avoided prison time but was placed on probation for a year, fined $1,000, and required to complete 80 hours of community service.

This incident raised doubts about his potential as a top draft pick and cast shadows over his commitment and fitness leading up to the draft.

Teams with strong veteran leadership in their locker rooms were seen as the ideal fit for Carter after these events.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman recognized that his team possessed such leadership, a top-10 draft pick, and a keen interest in acquiring talent, particularly from the Georgia Bulldogs, with six former Bulldogs on the 2024 Eagles roster.

“That’s what makes the Eagles special,” said Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat to YSL News Sports. “There’s always room for improvement. Even if you were good before, if you can enhance our team, that’s what the Eagles look for. They draft players with the belief that they can contribute to our success.”

“His love for football is evident; it’s clear how passionate he is when he plays.”

The Eagles traded up from the tenth to the ninth pick with the Chicago Bears to select Carter.

Although Hurtt was not yet part of the Eagles’ coaching staff, he had previously spent significant time with Carter during the pre-draft process. While serving as the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, he anticipated that the team would focus on defense with their fifth overall pick, which they ultimately dedicated to cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Hurtt noted Carter’s reserved demeanor during this time and described him as a very quiet individual.

“You come to realize he’s really a shy kid,” Hurtt said. “He’s not flamboyant or overly expressive; he’s pretty reserved and keeps to himself, but he’s a great young man.”

Even with only 50.6% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in his rookie season, Carter still earned a runner-up position in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, coming in behind Houston Texans rookie Will Anderson Jr.

A 6-foot-3, 315-pound powerhouse from Apopka, Florida, Carter played a more significant role in 2024, securing second-team All-Pro honors with 16 quarterback hits and 12 tackles for loss.

His improvements this year have been visible, reflecting a commitment to elevate his performance in every aspect, influenced by defensive end Brandon Graham’s observations. With an understanding of the likely volume of his playtime, Carter has embraced the need for ongoing preparation to truly dominate on the field.

“I believe that as he continues to make impactful plays, he grows more confident each week, realizing he can be a force in this league,” Graham remarked. “But that brings its own challenges since he now has a target on his back. So, he must maintain his fitness, diet, and overall character. He’s fulfilling those obligations, and I’m very proud of him.”

Following the divisional-round victory, head coach Nick Sirianni stated that Carter has consistently made the right decisions to ensure his success as a professional, from conditioning to weight management and play style.

“Jalen Carter is something special,” Sirianni praised.

“I can’t emphasize enough how positively he’s developed as a player. This type of growth isn’t merely a result of talent, though he has plenty of it; many players in the league are equally talented. To realize one’s potential requires much more, and Jalen keeps progressing. That says a lot about him.”

Could he be the NFL’s next elite defender?

Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo, part of the Bulldogs-Eagles team at the Super Bowl, recalls a practice back at Georgia that embodies Carter’s style of play, though he can’t pinpoint the exact details.

“One time, he just burst off the line, grabbed a guy by the shoulder pad with one arm, and flung him aside, sending him flying,” Ringo recounted to YSL News Sports.

This anecdote reflects Carter’s signature “club move,” which he uses as an overpowering tactic against interior offensive linemen, quickly allowing him to reach the quarterback.

“He keeps linemen guessing,” defensive lineman Milton Williams said. “They can’t predict how he’ll approach them.

“I’ve seen him dominate with that club move, getting clear access to the quarterback. The moment he arrived here, it was evident that he’s destined for greatness.”

In his second season, Carter has gained exposure to various blocking strategies and is starting to grasp how opposing teams will aim to counter him.

But good luck trying. Hurtt anticipates that Carter will soon be in discussions for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

“I typically refrain from setting expectations on that kind of thing,” Hurtt mentioned, though he made an exception. “I’d be let down if it didn’t start next year. He possesses all the ability and has already proven his commitment.”

He has all the natural talent one could wish for.

“I often say: he was born to play football. He truly was,” Williams expressed. “I can’t claim the same for myself; I’ve had to hustle to reach this level. But for him, it feels like he can just throw on a helmet, and he’s game-ready.”