Hey there, sports fans! Today, we're diving into a hot topic that has the Philadelphia Eagles' front office buzzing: Should they exercise their fifth-year options for Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith? But here's where it gets controversial... and this is the part most people miss! Let's unravel this together.
The Eagles' Dilemma: A Tale of Two Talents
The Philadelphia Eagles have a crucial decision to make regarding two of their first-round draft picks from 2023. We're talking about none other than DT Jalen Carter and EDGE Nolan Smith. With a May 1 deadline looming, let's break down the fifth-year option and whether it's a wise move for these players.
Understanding the Fifth-Year Option
First things first, Carter and Smith are already locked in for the 2026 season. The fifth-year option, if picked up, would secure their services for the 2027 season as well. Now, here's the catch: it's not cheap! OverTheCap has laid out four pay tiers for this option, and they're quite intriguing:
- Tier 1 (Basic): For players who don't meet specific criteria, the fifth-year salary is calculated based on the average of the 3rd to 25th highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.
- Tier 2 (Playtime): Players with significant playing time, meeting certain snap count criteria, can expect a higher salary, calculated from the average of the 3rd to 20th highest salaries.
- Tier 3 (One Pro Bowl): A single Pro Bowl appearance earns a player a fifth-year salary equal to the transition tender at their position.
- Tier 4 (Multiple Pro Bowls): Two or more Pro Bowl selections result in a fifth-year salary equivalent to the franchise tender.
According to OverTheCap, Carter falls into Tier 3, with a projected fifth-year salary of $21.6 million, thanks to his Pro Bowl appearance. Smith, on the other hand, is in Tier 1, with a projected salary of $15.4 million.
The Eagles' Track Record
Since the Collective Bargaining Agreement change, the Eagles have been cautious with their fifth-year options. They exercised it for Jordan Davis last offseason and, in a unique move, included DeVonta Smith's fifth-year option in his contract extension. However, they declined to exercise the option for Jahan Dotson and Andre Dillard, and traded Jalen Reagor and Kenny Pickett before making their decisions.
Jalen Carter: A No-Brainer?
Carter is a star in the making, and the Eagles know it. He's a game-changer on defense, demanding attention from opposing offenses. With the potential for a massive contract extension this offseason, the Eagles might just build Carter's fifth-year option into a new deal, similar to what they did with DeVonta Smith. In my opinion, if the Eagles don't extend Carter's contract by May 1, exercising his fifth-year option is a no-brainer.
Nolan Smith: A Rising Star?
Nolan Smith had a quiet start to his career but showed tremendous promise in 2024. After a slow beginning, he finished the season with 10.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He even led the NFL with four postseason sacks! However, 2025 was a bit of a setback due to an aggravated triceps injury. The Eagles are hoping for a healthy Smith next season, and his performance in 2024 might just be enough to convince them to exercise his fifth-year option.
The Eagles have other talented edge defenders, like Jaelan Phillips and Jalyx Hunt, but the decision to pick up Smith's option depends on their long-term plans. If they can afford to pay three edge defenders, it's an easy call. But if finances are tight, exercising Smith's option buys them time to decide which players to retain.
Final Verdict: Exercise Both Options
In my humble opinion, the Eagles should exercise both Carter and Smith's fifth-year options. Carter is a no-brainer, and Smith's potential warrants the move. What do you think, sports fans? Do you agree with this strategy? Let's discuss in the comments and share your thoughts on this intriguing dilemma!
