Jalen Carter doesn't intend to start any trouble when the Philadelphia Eagles travel to New England for two joint practices with the Patriots. That doesn't mean the All-Pro defensive tackle plans to back away if trouble finds him.
The Eagles and Patriots will practice together in Foxborough on Aug. 19 and 20 before meeting in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 22. Those sessions should provide Philadelphia's starters with some of their most important work before the regular season. They could also create a competitive environment in which tempers can flare.
Carter explained his approach during a conversation with ESPN's Tim McManus.
“If I was to get into any altercations, I don’t try to start them, I just finish them,” Carter said.
“If
I was to get into any altercations, I don’t try to start them, I just finish them.” With Eagles-Patriots joint practices coming up, Jalen Carter talks about the edge he tries to bring in those settings. pic.twitter.com/hQ9dvYjQdi
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) August 11, 2026
Jalen Carter wants to set a physical tone
Joint practices often carry more intensity than ordinary training camp sessions. Players have spent weeks competing against the same teammates, and the opportunity to face a different uniform can quickly raise the energy level.
Carter is built for that environment. Philadelphia wants its defensive front to play with aggression, disrupt the pocket and control the line of scrimmage. Few interior defenders are better equipped to establish that tone than the 25-year-old cornerstone.
The Eagles recently reinforced Carter's importance by signing him to a four-year, $152 million extension that included $106 million guaranteed. The deal made him the NFL's highest-paid defensive tackle and ensured that Philadelphia will continue building its defense around him.
Joint practices should allow Carter to test himself against an unfamiliar offensive line in one-on-one drills, run periods and competitive team situations. Those reps can reveal more than another practice against teammates who already understand his tendencies and pass-rush plan. Carter's presence should also create opportunities for Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Jalyx Hunt and Philadelphia's other defensive linemen. If New England commits additional attention to controlling Carter, the rest of the Eagles' front must capitalize.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jalen Carter plans to bring an edge to joint practices with the Patriots
