The Eagles made a big deal ahead of the NFL trade deadline in 2025, bringing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia from Miami. The former Dolphins pass rusher was instantly impactful upon reuniting with Vic Fangio and he even called the trade the best thing to ever happen to him. Despite the Eagles reportedly making a strong push to keep him in Philly, Phillips will instead head to the Carolina Panthers on a four-year contract worth $120 million, including $80 million guaranteed.
Phillips was expected to be one of the NFL’s top available free agents this offseason, and unfortunately, he was WAY too expensive for Howie Roseman to be able to keep him. $30 million per year makes Phillips the league’s eighth-highest paid edge rusher on an annual basis.
In his eight games after being traded, Phillips had 28 total tackles, seven QB hits, four passes defended, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He often commented how great the pass rush was from the Eagles defenders as a group, and how unselfish all of his teammates were, but now he’ll have to work with a new group in Carolina.
The Eagles will have to address the position group now that Phillips is leaving, as they currently only have Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, and Jose Ramirez on the roster. Recent rumors suggest that the Minnesota Vikings’ Jonathan Greenard could be a trade target. Bradley Chubb, who was released by the Miami Dolphins, is another option who has obvious connections to Vic Fangio and won’t count against the Eagles’ compensatory pick formula.
Speaking of comp picks, the Eagles are now in line to potentially get a 2027 third-round selection for losing Phillips (in a similar vein to the Eagles being projected to get a 2026 third-round comp pick for losing Milton Williams last year). That projected pick will be cancelled out, however, if they are active signing external free agents.
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