In just a few short months, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips has turned his future around thanks to how well he’s adapted after a midseason trade from the lowly Miami Dolphins to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Headed into Philadelphia’s NFC Playoff opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, January 11 (3:30 p.m., Fox), Phillips’ play since joining Vic Fangio’s defense has already made him a lot of money. That bottom line could only be burnished with a standout performance in just his second postseason game.
From a much narrower mindset, all Phillips might need to really do is stay healthy.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox put Phillips at No. 4 on his list of the Top 50 NFL Free Agents for the 2026 cycle following the end of the regular season. Knox also predicts Phillips could land a 3-year, $80 million free agent contract from the Los Angeles Chargers, another playoff team.
“Few players boosted their stock over the second half of the season quite like Jaelan Phillips,” Knox wrote. “A 2021 first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Phillips tallied 22 sacks over his first two-and-a-half seasons before injuries became a significant issue. He was traded to Philadelphia at the 2025 deadline, and he quickly regained his early elite form. Though Phillips only logged two sacks with the Eagles this past season, he recorded 17 quarterback pressures, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He wasted no time adapting to Vic Fangio’s defense and becoming a legitimate difference-maker for Philly.”
Phillips Helped Bring Balance to Philly’s Defense
Phillips, 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, filled a massive need for Philadelphia after the trade, which came at a time when edge rusher former first round pick Nolan Smith was out with an injury, as was edge rusher Azeez Ojulari.
Free agent edge rusher Za’Darius Smith shocked the Eagles with his sudden retirement just one month into the regular season, adding even more desperation to the mix.
Phillips was the answer, and he only cost the Eagles a third round pick.
“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) only has 2 sacks this year, but he leads the Dolphins in QB pressures,” The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia said on “The Ringer NFL Show” podcast on October 28. “He’s a free agent at the end of this season, so it’s not like you’re making some kind of big commitment and taking on a bunch of risk. He can help you now. So, he’s a fit, and maybe you re-sign him at the end of the season.”
Another Option: Bring Phillips Back to Philly
While back-to-back catastrophic injuries for Phillips in 2023 (torn Achilles tendon) and 2024 (torn ACL) need to be taken into account, there’s a good chance he just stays in Philadelphia in free agency.
Right now, the Eagles have approximately $22.2 million in salary cap space in 2026 — a number that’s only going to continue to go up — and while the Eagles likely won’t franchise tag Phillips at $26.5 million for 2026.
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