The Philadelphia Eagles bolstered their defensive lineup on Wednesday by trading for cornerback Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick from the New York Jets. In exchange, the Eagles sent wide receiver John Metchie III and a 2027 sixth-round pick to New York. This move comes as the Eagles seek to enhance their secondary, which has struggled to find consistency, particularly at the outside corner position.
The Eagles currently feature two promising young cornerbacks, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. However, the team has faced challenges securing a reliable third cornerback. Both Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo have delivered mixed performances in the role opposite Mitchell. In August, the Eagles acquired Jakorian Bennett from the Las Vegas Raiders, but he has been sidelined for most of the season due to a pectoral injury.
Carter, a fifth-round pick in 2021, became one of the NFL’s highest-paid slot corners in 2024 after signing a three-year, $30.75 million extension. His current contract runs through 2027, worth a total of $20.3 million, though only $2.7 million is guaranteed. This includes his remaining base salary for this season of $1.3 million and a partial guarantee for 2026 of $1.4 million. Additionally, $4 million will be guaranteed if he remains on the roster next March.
It remains unclear whether the Jets absorbed any financial obligations as part of the deal. Carter, once considered an ascending player, has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons. He missed four games last season due to a back issue and has already sat out three games this year because of a concussion. He returned last Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but only played six defensive snaps. His absence allowed Jarvis Brownlee, Jr., who has quickly gained favor among the Jets coaching staff, to step in.
Carter is recognized for his pass coverage abilities rather than his prowess in run defense. In his 65-game career, he has recorded only two interceptions and defended 26 passes, alongside 10 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries. The Jets coaching staff preferred Brownlee due to his physical tackling style.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has discussed the possibility of moving DeJean outside full-time. DeJean has been excelling in both base snaps and sub-packages, where he has been used effectively in the nickel position. Fangio commented on the dilemma of potentially shifting a strong player to a different position:
“We considered it, but when you have one of the better players at a certain position — and it’s an important position where you get involved more — you hate to take a really good player at one position to maybe not be as good of a player or impactful of a player at another position. But it’s definitely something that we’ve talked about.”
Meanwhile, Metchie, who has had limited impact this season with only four catches for 18 yards, joins a struggling Jets receiving corps. The Jets are in need of additional experience, particularly with starter Josh Reynolds placed on injured reserve due to a hip injury. This trade may also signal a potential shift for veteran receiver Allen Lazard, whose name has surfaced in trade discussions.
The Eagles’ decision to acquire Carter reflects their commitment to enhancing their defensive capabilities as they navigate a demanding season. With defensive adjustments on the horizon, fans will be watching closely as the team works to solidify its secondary.
