Philadelphia Eagles‘ veteran center, Jason Kelce, has voiced his support for the team’s recent acquisition of former Georgia defensive standout Jalen Carter, despite concerns over his character.

The Eagles traded up one pick to secure the ninth overall spot and sign Carter to a four-year, $22M contract.

Carter was once considered the best prospect in the draft, but character concerns led to him sliding down the board.

In particular, Carter was arrested for speeding, and there were rumors that he may have been involved in a car accident that resulted in a fatality. However, Kelce is not too concerned about these issues.

Speaking on the New Heights podcast with his brother Travis, Kelce said, “I don’t get too concerned with character stuff, especially when it comes to college kids. These are highly transformative years for all these guys.”

Kelce continued, “People do a lot of growing in college. People do a lot of growing after college. These are still young kids. They’re still young men. Jalen gets the opportunity now to reinvent himself.”

Philadephia Eagles invest $22M in Jalen Carter

The Eagles will be hoping that Carter can put his past behind him and focus on his performance on the field. Carter’s contract is reportedly worth almost $22 million for four years, with a signing bonus of $12.8 million. This is a testament to Carter’s potential as a player, despite his slide from the top spot in the draft.

Kelce’s endorsement of Carter will be seen as a significant boost for the young player. Kelce is a respected veteran and leader on the Eagles’ team, and his belief in Carter’s ability to transform himself could help him settle in with the team and develop into a star player.

Only time will tell whether Carter will be able to put his past behind him and reach his full potential as a player. However, with the support of Kelce and the Eagles organization, he will have the opportunity to prove his worth on the field.