If you have been following the Eagles, you may have seen Jalen Carter rocking a large chain with a number “8” pendant attached to it following the Eagles’ dramatic 33-26 comeback win against the Rams this past Sunday. After admiring the bling, you might have thought to yourself, “why number 8?” given that Carter wears number 98 with the Eagles and wore number 88 in college while part of the Georgia Bulldogs.
And while it’s possible that Jalen Carter simply likes the number 8, many are speculating that the real reason Carter has a number 8 chain is because he won it in a bet with Jared Verse of the Rams, who wears the number with the team.[1]
This theory dates back to last season, where Verse very publicly announced his dislike for the Eagles and their fans.[2] Verse’s disdain for the organization culminated with a quick confrontation between himself and Eagles Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter before their January postseason matchup, where the Eagles prevailed. And while it looks like the two have buried the hatchet given that they were seen chatting and catching up before Sunday’s game, Carter was nevertheless seen wearing the aforementioned “8” chain that many believe he got from Jared Verse during a postgame interview.
While it seems clear that a bet between the two took place, as of now, it looks like the bet happened before Sunday’s exhibition and was not related to the outcome of the game.[3] And let’s hope that is true, because if not, massive penalties will likely be levied against Carter and Verse, as the NFL maintains and enforces strict no-betting policies in relation to performance and game outcomes. [4] And since both players are key pieces of their respective defenses, it is no doubt their absence would be felt by their squads.
For more on how gambling is creating a potential crisis for both fans and players alike, check out: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/business/live-in-game-sports-betting.html?smid=tw-share; https://ublawsportsforum.com/2025/09/22/from-courtside-to-courts-ncaa-gambling-crisis-widens/.
[1] Cameron DaSilva, Was Jalen Carter wearing Jared Verse’s chain after Rams-Eagles game?, RamsWire (September 22, 2025, 5:47 AM PT)
[2] Josh Buckhalter, Rams LB Jared Verse Sends Strong Message to Eagles DT Jalen Carter, Heavy (January 19, 2025, 3:14 PM ET)
[3] Lou Flavius, Eagles’ Jalen Carter Flaunts $100K Chain and Pendant He Took from Rams’ Jared Verse After Jaw-Dropping Upset, News Break (September 22, 2025)
[4] Summary of NFL Gambling Policy Education & Integrity Monitoring Efforts, NFL (August 22, 2024)
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