Vic Fangio doesn’t hesitate to call out Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter for being out of shape

Jalen Carter has some work to do.

Kelsey Kramer — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) walks off the field after being ejected during the first quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

While Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is playing the nice guy following Jalen Carter’s spitting incident, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio isn’t afraid to call it how he sees it.

The old-school coach made it obvious that he was unsatisfied with Carter’s Week 2 performance in the Eagles’ 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs and even went as far as to say that he needs to get in better shape.

“He had some good rushes,” Fangio said. “I think he needs to round into better shape. Both he and I talked about that, and he readily admits that. I think we’ll even get more. But, I thought for everything that has gone on in his world, I thought he played pretty good.”

Fangio noted that Carter being tossed during Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys had little to do with his progress.

Cater had two tackles and no sacks in Sunday’s Week 2 win and kept favoring his right arm, which Fangio said played a role in his being behind.

“There are a lot of reasons for that,” Fangio said. “One, he has had a shoulder issue, which has limited his time on the practice field. The shorter practices that we do, the lack of reps that he’s gotten for multiple reasons, all of that.”

Jalen Carter Admitted He Has Some Catching Up to Do

Carter, the Eagles’ ninth overall pick out of Georgia in 2023, made an immediate splash in his rookie season. He played in all 16 games, posting 33 tackles (20 solo), six sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. That strong debut earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team, and he just barely missed out on AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, finishing as the runner-up.

In 2024, he leveled up even more. Carter started every game, ending the season with 42 tackles (25 solo), 4.5 sacks, six pass breakups, and forced two more fumbles. That performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.

Carter is expected to take an even larger jump in Year 3, though he isn’t naive that he has some work to do, especially after missing Week 1.

“What happened, happened in Week 1. We’re past it. But to me, I’m a week behind with everybody in the league,” Carter admitted. “So I got some catching up to do. Just connecting to do with the guys and getting better. That’s what I’m thinking about.”

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