Michael Carter II makes bold $5 million decision to facilitate trade from Jets to Eagles

Matt Sullivan

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Michael Carter II makes bold $5 million decision to facilitate trade from Jets to Eagles image

The New York Jets, with under a week to go until the trade deadline, made their first move by trading slot cornerback Michael Carter II to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2027 late pick swap and wide receiver John Metchie III.

Philadelphia adds a much-needed cornerback, while the Jets get off his $30 million contract and add a young receiver in Metchie to a depleted wide receiver room.

But, as part of the trade, Carter made a very bold decision that will cost him $5 million in 2026. It's a decision that shows how much he wanted this trade to go through, sending him from the 1-7 Jets to the 6-2 Eagles.

Michael Carter II gives up $5 million to make the Jets-Eagles trade work

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport highlighted the financial impact of this trade and how Carter was willing to give up his $5 million injury guarantee for 2026 to make this trade go through.

"Here's how badly Michael Carter II wanted to join the champs: Sources say he agreed to delete the $5 million guaranteed for injury in his 2026 contract year to complete the trade to the Eagles," Rapoport reports.

Carter could've held firm and not made any change to his contract, but to make this trade work for the Eagles and Jets, he was willing to forego $5 million guaranteed for injury in 2026.

He's still under contract for $30.75 million, but this decision is a significant one, as it's a clear indication that he wanted to make a trade work.

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With Jarvis Brownlee taking over in the slot for the Jets, Carter didn't have much of a role on the Jets' defense going forward, and of the players rumored to be available at the deadline, Carter was the most likely one to be dealt.

Now, heading to Philadelphia, Carter joins the NFC East division-leading Eagles as they look to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The Jets, meanwhile, add some much-needed wide receiver help in Metchie, and move up a round in the 2027 NFL Draft with the Eagles, while also getting off Carter's contract.

It's an interesting deal for both teams, as each adds a player they need for this season and into the future. For Carter, his $5 million decision is a bold one, as he's willing to give up guaranteed money for injury in 2026 to make this deal work.

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Contributing Writer