PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Carter has the drive to be great. When Sunday rolls around, the Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle excepts nothing less.
But even Carter is humbled. When one of the greatest defensive players of all time gives Carter a shoutout, all Carter could do was smile.
Eagles legend LeSean McCoy revealed on Fox Sports 1 he spoke to Donald, a friend of McCoy’s and fellow Pitt alum, as the future Hall of Famer give the highest praise to Carter.
“I haven’t watched football like that in a long time, Donald told McCoy. “That guy Jalen Carter, bro. My replacement is here.”
When Carter was informed of Donald’s comments, the reaction was wholesome.
“That’s nice man. I always wanted to talk to AD,” Carter said. “Just to hear that from him, one of the best, and I watched his film and learned from him. That means a lot…That’s love from an OG right there. I really don’t know what else to say.
“If I’m getting that from him, that means something right there.”
Carter had one of the most dominant performances in Eagles playoff history in last week’s divisional round victory over the Los Angeles Rams. He finished with five tackles, two sacks, seven pressures, three quarterback hits, and a forced fumble in the 28-22 victory — with his two biggest plays in the fourth quarter. His forced fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter led to the Eagles extending their lead, but the biggest play was a sack on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford on a third-and-2 at the Eagles’ 13 with 1:14 left in the Eagles clinging to a 28-22 lead. On the next play, Carter hit Stafford and forced an incompletion that sealed the Eagles win.
Carter saved the Eagles season. he doesn’t look at it that way, part of what makes him great.
“It made me feel good. But you know, it really don’t hit until like later on,” Carter said. “We all celebrating there. You know, I’m getting all the [accolades] as you mentioned. I’m like I might [have won the game] but at the end it’s still a team game, like we all had to do what we had to do.
“I know that one play is a big play, but at the end of the day, everybody still had to do their job.”
Carter is the one player on the Eagles defense the Washington Commanders have to account for at all times. He’s the one that can change the game for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels as well.
Sunday could be an encore performance for Carter, who is already tabbed as the next Aaron Donald.
Eagles vs. Commanders where to watch: Kickoff time, TV channel, NFL live stream, preview for NFC Championship
Cody Benjamin
The 2025 NFC Championship game was filled with drama, excitement, and star power. In a showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams, it was a battle of the ages as seasoned veteran Aaron Donald faced off against up-and-coming star Jalen Carter.
Carter, a defensive tackle for the Eagles, had a standout performance in the game, making crucial plays that ultimately helped lead his team to victory. But it was his post-game interaction with Donald that truly captured the hearts of football fans everywhere.
After the game, Donald, known for his dominance on the field and humble demeanor off of it, took the time to praise Carter for his performance. He commended the young player for his talent, work ethic, and sportsmanship, calling him a “rising star in the league.”
Carter, who has long admired Donald and modeled his game after the Rams’ defensive powerhouse, was visibly moved by the praise. In a post-game interview, he expressed his gratitude for Donald’s kind words, saying that it was a surreal moment for him to receive such high praise from one of the game’s all-time greats.
But Carter’s humility and respect for Donald didn’t stop there. As he looks ahead to the Super Bowl and the chance to further solidify his place among the league’s elite, he remains focused on his team and the task at hand.
With the support of his teammates and the inspiration of players like Donald, Jalen Carter is poised for an encore performance that could solidify his legacy in the NFL. And with the humility and respect he has shown throughout his career, there’s no doubt that he will continue to make a lasting impact on and off the field for years to come.
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