Eagles target major defensive weakness with new trade

One of the biggest issues for the Philadelphia Eagles heading into the 2025 NFL season was the depth at the Cornerback position.  After losing both Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers from the team that won Super Bowl 59, the organization hoped they had good enough players to replace the veteran defensive backs.

The struggles of Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson in August forced the Eagles to trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Jakorian Bennett. But the new Cornerback also sustained injuries that removed him from the running for the starting Outside Cornerback spot.

Philadelphia's defense has struggled at times this season, allowing 350 Total Yards or more in five of their eight games this season. For comparison, the Eagles defense only allowed 350 Total Yards or more in just seven out of 21 regular and postseason games.

Philadelphia Makes Trade To Improve Defense

While the Eagles are on their Bye Week, General Manager Howie Roseman has stayed at work to improve the roster ahead of the second half for the 2025 NFL season.

Philadelphia has acquired Cornerback Michael Carter II and a 2027 7th Round NFL Draft pick from the New York Jets in exchange for Wide Receiver John Metchie and a 2027 6th Round NFL Draft pick.

Carter is a five-year veteran defensive back who has appeared in 65 games for the Jets. He is in the first year of a three-year contract worth up to $30.75 million.  According to Over The Cap, only $18.046 million is guaranteed money, and Philadelphia is not on the hook for the $6 Million Signing Bonus he received in 2024.

The Eagles' new Cornerback was not a good fit in the 2025 Jets defense under the New Head Coach and former NFL Defensive Back Aaron Glenn.  Carter sustained a Concussion this season that forced him to miss 3 games, and he lost his starting Cornerback spot this year.

Former New York Jets General Manager Joe Douglas is now working in the Philadelphia Eagles Front Office in 2025. It is fair to assume that the former Jets Executive, who drafted Carter in the 2021 NFL Draft, had some input and gave Eagles' Howie Roseman the information needed to make this trade happen.

Sources tell NFL Network that Michael Carter II agreed to renegotiate his contract to remove a $5 Million Injury Guarantee for the 2026 NFL season.  This will save the Eagles money on the Salary Cape for next year.

Former NFL Linebacker and Fox Sports Analyst Emmanuel Acho says Carter is still one of the best Man Coverage Defensive Backs in the NFL despite his underwhelming Pro Football Focus Grades.

While we do not know exactly how Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio will use the new cornerback, the working assumption is that Michael Carter II will play Nickel Corner and the team will move versatile Defensive Back Cooper Dejean to the Outside Cornerback spot.