The Philadelphia Eagles might have already realized while edge rusher Jaelan Phillips has been a great addition, in the end he’s going to be what amounts to a short-term rental.
If the Eagles can make it back to the Super Bowl again, it’s likely it could be well worth it for everyone involved.
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks put Phillips on his list of the Top 8 NFL free agents who will “break the bank” in 2026 after having standout seasons in a contract year, with Phillips coming to the Eagles in a trade with the Miami Dolphins just one day before the NFL trade deadline.
“The Eagles are acquiring DE Jaelan Phillips from Miami for a third-round pick, per sources — the sides have been discussing a trade for week,” NFL reporter Albert Breer wrote on his official X account on November 3. “Philly DC Vic Fangio was with Phillips in Miami in 2023.”
Phillips has been an incredible addition to a depleted Eagles defensive front, coming on when former first round pick and edge rusher Nolan Smith was on injured reserve, and helping sustain that same group with NFL All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter out for the last 3 games following shoulder surgeries.
“Phillips has been able to showcase his disruptive potential as an edge defender,” Brooks wrote. “He quickly ignited Philly’s defense with his athleticism and aggressiveness as a pass rusher, lifting the team from 19th in points allowed per game and 16th in yards allowed per play in Weeks 1-9 to first and seventh, respectively, in Weeks 10-15 … With the 6-5, 266-pounder also effectively setting the edge against the run, he has a good chance to draw big bucks from a team seeking a high-quality complementary rusher.”
Injuries Have Defined Phillips in Past
Phillips only played in 11 games over his first 2 college seasons at UCLA due to injuries and medically retired from football in December 2018 after a moped accident.
He wouldn’t return to the field for 2 years, eventually playing a dominant final season for the University of Miami in 2020 where he earned All-American and All-ACC honors with 45 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 16 TFL, 3 pass deflections and one interception in 10 games.
That season propelled him to being a first round pick (No. 18 overall) by the Dolphins in 2021, and through his first 2 NFL seasons hewas one of the NFL’s dominant young pass rushers. In 2021 and 2022, he played in all 34 regular season games with 103 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 17 TFL, 3 fumble recoveries and an incredible 41 QB hits.
In 2023, Phillips had 6.5 sacks through the first 8 games before he tore his Achilles tendon. He returned in Week 4 of the 2024 season against the Tennessee Titans but tore his ACL in his first game back.
New Lease on Life, Career With Eagles
Phillips has been open about how much he’s enjoyed playing for the Eagles and Fangio and finally getting to be on a true contender for the first time in his career.
The Eagles are 9-5 overall and face the Washington Commanders on the road in Week 16.
“Eagles pass rusher Jaelan Phillips has never won a division title,” NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark wrote on X on December 18. “He is really looking forward to the opportunity to do that Saturday in Washington. He says he really feels the defense is getting more and more comfortable playing with each other.”
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