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Eagles Gear Up for 2026: Receiver Roster, Carter Contract, and Historic Records
The Philadelphia Eagles are stepping into the 2026 offseason with a clear focus on reshaping their roster and managing cap space. Training camp will open in six weeks, and the team’s priorities will center on a crowded wide‑receiver battle, the status of defensive end Jalen Carter’s contract, kicker Jake Elliott’s declining accuracy, and a reminder of a franchise record that lingered for 56 years.
The receiver room is the most visible change for the Eagles. According to reports, the lineup now includes DeVonta Smith, the 2021 first‑round pick who has been the team’s primary target since arriving. Smith’s rookie season was followed by the addition of first‑round rookie Makai Lemon, selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. The club also signed Dontayvion Wicks in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, and Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore were acquired in the offseason. Other names on the depth chart include Johnny Wilson—a 6‑foot‑6 receiver signed in 2024 who missed training camp because of injury—Quez Watkins, drafted in the sixth round of 2020, and Darius Cooper, who recorded nine catches on 11 targets in limited snaps last season.
Eagles also have a punt‑returner who can play wide receiver, Britain Covey, and holdovers Danny Gray and Samori Toure. With Smith, Lemon, and Wicks projected to be the primary receivers, the competition for the remaining roster spot will involve Moore, Wilson, Watkins, and Cooper. General manager Howie Roseman has expressed confidence in the group’s talent, noting that the receivers’ unique skill sets will be evaluated during training camp.
Jalen Carter’s contract status remains a key question for the Eagles’ front office. Carter signed a four‑year, $21.8 million deal in 2023, which included a $12.9 million signing bonus and $21.8 million guaranteed. Spotrac reports that the contract averages $5.5 million per year. Despite his status as a two‑time Pro Bowler and an All‑Pro selection, the Eagles have not yet reached an agreement on a long‑term extension. Reports indicate that Carter was present for the start of minicamp but did not participate in many drills, raising questions about whether the absence was due to injury or contract negotiations. Salary‑cap considerations and the player’s performance history are cited as factors in the delayed agreement.
Kicker Jake Elliott has been a reliable target for the Eagles, but his accuracy has slipped in recent seasons. Data shows Elliott’s field‑goal percentage fell to 77.8 percent in 2024 from 74.1 percent in 2023. He is the first NFL kicker in 16 years to have consecutive seasons with 25 attempts and an accuracy below 78 percent. In the ranking of kickers who have attempted more than 50 field goals in the past two years, Elliott sits 22nd, behind only Jake Moody. If Elliott’s performance continues to slip, the Eagles may need to consider a replacement.
DeVonta Smith’s statistics reinforce his status as the team’s top receiver. Smith’s career average of 9.1 yards per target is tied for fifth among active receivers, behind only A.J. Brown, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle. Over the past three seasons, Smith has averaged 9.4 yards per target, placing him ahead of Brown’s 9.2 yards. These numbers support the Eagles’ decision to give Smith the WR1 role.
The Eagles’ new offensive‑line coach, Chris Kuper, was hired in February and will replace longtime coach Jeff Stoutland. Kuper, who played offensive line for eight seasons in the NFL, has been praised for his willingness to take on the role and for his credibility with the players. He has emphasized that the line will need to improve to support the team’s offensive goals.
A historical note: In 1948, quarterback Tommy Thompson posted a 98.4 passer rating, the franchise record for a minimum of 200 attempts. The record stood for 56 years until Donovan McNabb posted a 104.7 rating during the 2004 Super Bowl season. Thompson’s rating remains the ninth‑highest in Eagles history and the highest for a quarterback aged 32 or older. More recent quarterbacks such as Jalen Hurts, Carson Wentz, Michael Vick, and McNabb have surpassed Thompson’s mark.
The Eagles also have a legacy connection to a former player named Michael Carter, who signed with the team in 1993 but retired after a brief stint. Carter’s track‑and‑field achievements include a 1979 shot‑put record that still stands as the national high‑school record.
In summary, the Eagles are preparing for a competitive training camp with a crowded receiver room, a pending contract negotiation for a key defensive lineman, and a kicker whose performance is under scrutiny. The team’s coaching changes and historical context add depth to the offseason narrative. As the Eagles head into camp, the outcomes of these storylines will determine the roster that will compete in the 2026 season.
The receiver room is the most visible change for the Eagles. According to reports, the lineup now includes DeVonta Smith, the 2021 first‑round pick who has been the team’s primary target since arriving. Smith’s rookie season was followed by the addition of first‑round rookie Makai Lemon, selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. The club also signed Dontayvion Wicks in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, and Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore were acquired in the offseason. Other names on the depth chart include Johnny Wilson—a 6‑foot‑6 receiver signed in 2024 who missed training camp because of injury—Quez Watkins, drafted in the sixth round of 2020, and Darius Cooper, who recorded nine catches on 11 targets in limited snaps last season.
Eagles also have a punt‑returner who can play wide receiver, Britain Covey, and holdovers Danny Gray and Samori Toure. With Smith, Lemon, and Wicks projected to be the primary receivers, the competition for the remaining roster spot will involve Moore, Wilson, Watkins, and Cooper. General manager Howie Roseman has expressed confidence in the group’s talent, noting that the receivers’ unique skill sets will be evaluated during training camp.
Jalen Carter’s contract status remains a key question for the Eagles’ front office. Carter signed a four‑year, $21.8 million deal in 2023, which included a $12.9 million signing bonus and $21.8 million guaranteed. Spotrac reports that the contract averages $5.5 million per year. Despite his status as a two‑time Pro Bowler and an All‑Pro selection, the Eagles have not yet reached an agreement on a long‑term extension. Reports indicate that Carter was present for the start of minicamp but did not participate in many drills, raising questions about whether the absence was due to injury or contract negotiations. Salary‑cap considerations and the player’s performance history are cited as factors in the delayed agreement.
Kicker Jake Elliott has been a reliable target for the Eagles, but his accuracy has slipped in recent seasons. Data shows Elliott’s field‑goal percentage fell to 77.8 percent in 2024 from 74.1 percent in 2023. He is the first NFL kicker in 16 years to have consecutive seasons with 25 attempts and an accuracy below 78 percent. In the ranking of kickers who have attempted more than 50 field goals in the past two years, Elliott sits 22nd, behind only Jake Moody. If Elliott’s performance continues to slip, the Eagles may need to consider a replacement.
DeVonta Smith’s statistics reinforce his status as the team’s top receiver. Smith’s career average of 9.1 yards per target is tied for fifth among active receivers, behind only A.J. Brown, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle. Over the past three seasons, Smith has averaged 9.4 yards per target, placing him ahead of Brown’s 9.2 yards. These numbers support the Eagles’ decision to give Smith the WR1 role.
The Eagles’ new offensive‑line coach, Chris Kuper, was hired in February and will replace longtime coach Jeff Stoutland. Kuper, who played offensive line for eight seasons in the NFL, has been praised for his willingness to take on the role and for his credibility with the players. He has emphasized that the line will need to improve to support the team’s offensive goals.
A historical note: In 1948, quarterback Tommy Thompson posted a 98.4 passer rating, the franchise record for a minimum of 200 attempts. The record stood for 56 years until Donovan McNabb posted a 104.7 rating during the 2004 Super Bowl season. Thompson’s rating remains the ninth‑highest in Eagles history and the highest for a quarterback aged 32 or older. More recent quarterbacks such as Jalen Hurts, Carson Wentz, Michael Vick, and McNabb have surpassed Thompson’s mark.
The Eagles also have a legacy connection to a former player named Michael Carter, who signed with the team in 1993 but retired after a brief stint. Carter’s track‑and‑field achievements include a 1979 shot‑put record that still stands as the national high‑school record.
In summary, the Eagles are preparing for a competitive training camp with a crowded receiver room, a pending contract negotiation for a key defensive lineman, and a kicker whose performance is under scrutiny. The team’s coaching changes and historical context add depth to the offseason narrative. As the Eagles head into camp, the outcomes of these storylines will determine the roster that will compete in the 2026 season.
