Eagles reportedly trade for Jets CB Michael Carter II in effort to bolster middling pass defense, send WR John Metchie to New York
The Philadelphia Eagles made a trade on Wednesday to bolster a middling pass defense, sending wide receiver John Metchie to the New York Jets in return for cornerback Michael Carter, according to multiple reports.
The Eagles will also send a 2027 sixth-round draft pick to the Jets and receive a 2027 seventh-round draft pick in return. The move for the Eagles adds cornerback depth to a pass defense that has taken a step back since last season's championship run.
Philadelphia led the league in pass defense in 2024 with 174.2 yards allowed per game. It's allowing 215.9 passing yards per game this season, which is good for 18th in the NFL.
The Eagles feature a pair of standout second-year cornerbacks in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. They invested their 2024 first-round pick (No. 22 overall) in Mitchell and second-round pick (No. 40 overall) in DeJean, and it paid off in a pass defense that helped anchor their Super Bowl run.
Mitchell has developed a shutdown reputation as Philadelphia's No. 1 cornerback. DeJean emerged as a multi-faceted playmaker who plays primarily at nickel back. His first-half pick 6 of Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl helped break the game open for the Eagles.
But Philadelphia's cornerback play beyond Mitchell and DeJean has been shaky. Adoree' Jackson has failed to emerge as the clear No. 2 option opposite Mitchell in the starting lineup after joining the Eagles as a free agent in the offseason form the New York Giants.
Carter doesn't necessarily slot into that position. He wasn't a standout for the Jets and played primarily as a slot corner. He became expendable when the Jets acquired Jarvis Brownlee Jr. in an early-season trade from the Tennessee Titans.
It's not clear whether DeJean would move outside with the acquisition of Carter or remain in the slot, where he has thrived.
But Carter's strength is his pass defense, and he provides depth and options in the secondary for an Eagles unit that needs it. He's playing this season on the first year of a 3-year, $30.75 million extension to his rookie contract that came with $13.6 million in guaranteed money.
The Eagles part with with a receiver in Metchie who caught just four passes for 18 yards in seven games this season.