The New York Giants are not in a position to laugh at the rival Philadelphia Eagles very often in the 2025 season due to the two franchises' respective records and Philly's Week 8 win, but they did pick up some juicy ammunition when the fanbase went over the top in praising a move that is more of a flier than a tangible improvement.
The Eagles traded backup wide receiver John Metchie III and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for slot cornerback Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Carter is fresh off losing his starting job in the middle of a fairly expensive three-year contract.
Eagles fans have gone so over the top in their effusive praise of the Carter trade that they are losing sight of what he is as a player. This is a lottery ticket signing and a complete renovation project and Giants fans who absorb Jets tape through New York osmosis know this.
Giants fans have to laugh at Eagles praising Michael Carter II
Carter went from the highest-paid nickel cornerback to someone who could barely get on the field in the span of a little over a year. Carter's struggles in the 2025 season were alarming, and new Jets trade addition Jarvis Brownlee Jr. proved to be an immediate upgrade in this area.
Carter ranks 111th out of 113 qualified cornerbacks in the eyes of Pro Football Focus. Switching from Robert Saleh's zone-heavy scheme to a press-man attack orchestrated by Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks knee-capped Carter, who can't tackle well enough to hold up in that defense.
Despite reports listing him as "versatile," the opposite is true. Carter has played over 80% of his NFL snaps as a slot cornerback. If the Eagles want to get him on the field, they will have to play one of their best in Cooper DeJean at the relatively unfamiliar outside cornerback position.
Giants fans who derive pleasure from Eagles' misfortune might be eating well after this trade. If the Eagles have to play Carter for an extended period outside of Saleh's scheme, they may soon find out how much Saleh boosted his performance. They apparently didn't learn their lesson with Bryce Huff.
With the Giants likely done being taken seriously as a playoff threat, the best way for Giants fans to consume the rest of the year is by hoping the Eagles screw things up. Moving DeJean and starting Carter could become a recipe for disaster.