Philadelphia bets on talent and familiarity to boost sagging pass rush
The Eagles made a decisive move on Monday ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring defensive end Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, this is a calculated swing at shoring up a pass rush that hasn’t met expectations.
Philadelphia’s defense, once known for its relentless front, has struggled to consistently pressure quarterbacks this season. With the team ranked in the bottom third of the league in sacks, the front office opted to address the issue now rather than wait for the offseason.
A major part of that decision was driven by attrition. Injuries and roster turnover have thinned the Eagles’ edge depth. Nolan Smith, a key part of the team’s youth movement at outside linebacker, has been out since early in the season. The team just opened his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve, but with no clear timetable for his activation, Philadelphia couldn’t afford to wait. Add in the loss of proven veterans during the offseason, and the lack of consistent edge pressure has become too pressing to ignore.
That context made acquiring a player like Phillips not just a luxury, but a necessity.
Phillips, 26, is being brought in to change that.
The former first-round pick (No. 18 overall in 2021) has flashed serious potential as an edge rusher. Through 55 career games, Phillips has totaled 26 sacks, 177 tackles, and one interception. At 6-foot-5 and 263 pounds, he combines ideal size, speed, and power. His first step and ability to convert speed to power make him a problem off the edge. When healthy, he can disrupt drives with a single rush.
Injuries have interrupted his career. He suffered a torn Achilles in 2023, limiting him to just eight games that season, and then tore his ACL early in 2024, appearing in only four games. Despite the setbacks, he managed 6.5 sacks in 2023 and added 1 sack in limited action in 2024. So far this season, he has appeared in nine games and already registered 3 sacks — a sign that his explosiveness is returning.
Phillips steps into the starting weakside linebacker role in Philadelphia’s base defense, immediately giving the Eagles a proven pass-rushing presence on the edge. He joins a young and reshuffled linebacker group, where his experience and burst off the line stand out. His addition is expected to boost a unit that has rotated heavily and struggled to consistently finish plays behind the line of scrimmage.
The cost — a 2026 third-rounder — reflects the balance of risk and upside. Phillips is still on his rookie deal and under team control through 2025, giving the Eagles flexibility. If he regains form and stays healthy, the team could explore an extension. If not, they can move on with minimal loss.
His familiarity with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who coached in Miami during Phillips’ early years, is another plus. That connection could fast-track his impact and open up more complex assignments, including disguised pressures and off-ball snaps.
This isn’t a headline-grabbing blockbuster. It’s a calculated move rooted in football need. The Eagles need more speed and pressure off the edge. They need production now, not potential later. And Phillips — if he stays on the field — can give them both.
For a team trying to win now, the bet on Phillips is clear: the upside is worth it.
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