Before the Philadelphia Eagles even got a single snap in the 2025 regular season, their best defensive player was at the center of what will almost certainly be the most controversial moment of Week 1.
NFL All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected from the season opener after he appeared to spit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott as the teams waited on the field after an injury on the opening kickoff.
After Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren sat on the field with an injury following the opening kickoff, Carter walked up to Prescott, the NFL’s highest paid player, and after a brief exchange a projectile could be seen flying from Carter’s mouth toward Prescott.
Carter was a first round pick (No. 9 overall) in the 2023 NFL draft and earned NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the first time last season as he helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory.
The Cowboys went down the field on 6 plays for 53 yards capped by a short touchdown run by running back Javonte Williams for a 7-0 lead. The Eagles answered back on their first drive with a short touchdown run by quarterback Jalen Hurts to tie the score.
Jalen Carter may has well just spit in the face of every member of this team and the coaching staff (for the Eagles),” NBC color commentator Cris Collinsworth said. If they lose this game tonight, it’s because Jalen Carter did that before they even played a snap.
Social Media Melts Down After Ejection
As could be expected, the internet completely melted down after one of the more shocking starts to an NFL season in recent memory.
“Think how wild it is to spit on the QB Prime-time game, probably 25-30 manned cameras working the game,” The Athletic’s Mike Sando wrote on his official X account. “Two cameras assigned to the QB at all times when QB is on the field Sky cam likely also on him Game official is right there next to you. Like robbing a gun shop while unarmed.”
“Somewhere in America, at sometime this week, someone asked a Cowboys fan ‘you think they got a shot Thursday?’ and that Cowboys fan answered ‘(expletive), maybe if Jalen Carter forgets there’s a game.’ ” The Athletic’s Dave Helman wrote on his official X account, “and that guy feels like the smartest person alive rn.”
Carter One Of Favorites For NFL Defensive POY
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski put Carter on a list of 5 NFL players who might be able to dethrone Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II as NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.
Carter would be just the second defensive tackle to win the award in the last 25 years. Former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald won the award 3 times.
“In a world once dominated by Aaron Donald, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter is the closest thing to the retired three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year,” Sobleski wrote on June 1. ” … Carter is on the precipice … his explosiveness and movement skills for a 314-pound athlete are rare. They’ve been evident since before he even became a starter for an elite Georgia Bulldogs defense. Those traits have translated, and they’ll be on full display this fall when Carter transitions to the focal point of the Eagles defensive front.”
Ugly Moment For Eagles Superstar in NFL Season Opener