The Kansas City Chiefs have already tried and failed to deal with Jalen Carter and the Philadelphia Eagles defensive front eight months ago in Super Bowl LIX. On the eve of the highly anticipated rematch in Week 2, the Chiefs will once again face Philly at full strength.
In case you missed the Week 1 drama surrounding Carter, the young Eagles star spit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the early moments of the season-opening game for both teams. That move got Carter ejected from the game immediately and placed in the queue for further punishment.
Carter will pay a hefty fine but that's the end of his punishment from the NFL.
On Tuesday, the NFL doled out that punishment in the form of an expensive fine. Carter will have to pay restitution in the amount of $57,522, but that also means he's going to keep playing football.
There was conjecture around the NFL that the powers-that-be might want to suspend Carter for his poor decision—extreme or not—which would have placed his status for Week 2 up in the air. Given the Chiefs' issues with containing Carter and the rest of the Eagles' pass rush back in Super Bowl LIX, some fans were ready for some relief.
That said, if the Chiefs are afraid of the Eagles in Week 2, then they have no business being mentioned as a title contender this season. Every week is a test for the Chiefs, and the matchup against Philly provides a chance to make a statement for a young defense that had trouble finding its footing against Justin Herbert and the Chargers in Week 1.
For Carter, Week 2 is also a chance to put the entire episode behind him, since he ended up missing the vast majority of the team's win over the Cowboys. Building on his first Pro Bowl appearance in just his second season in 2024, Carter is set to become a household name this season if he continues on the same trajectory.
The Chiefs are scheduled to host the Eagles on Sunday, September 14 at 3:25 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium.