The Carolina Panthers are staring down a familiar problem heading into the offseason: a pass rush that just hasn’t been getting home. Despite efforts to shore up the edge last year, the Panthers managed only 30 sacks in 2025-a number that simply won’t cut it in today’s NFL. So once again, they’re in the market for a difference-maker off the edge.
Enter Jaelan Phillips.
The 26-year-old edge rusher is set to hit free agency after splitting time between the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles in 2025. And while his stat line-53 tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries-doesn’t scream “elite,” there’s more to Phillips than just the box score.
What makes Phillips intriguing, and potentially a fit in Carolina, is the upside he brings when he’s on the field and fully healthy. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 74.0 overall grade last season, with a strong 77.1 pass-rushing grade that ranked him 20th out of 115 qualifying edge defenders. That’s not just solid-that’s starter-level production on the edge, something the Panthers sorely lacked last year.
But here’s the catch: availability.
Phillips comes with a medical history that’s hard to ignore. After being drafted 18th overall by the Dolphins in 2021 and racking up 15.5 sacks over his first two seasons, injuries derailed his trajectory.
He tore his Achilles midway through the 2023 season, then suffered an ACL tear the following year. Those are two of the most difficult injuries for any athlete to bounce back from, and they limited him to just 12 games combined in 2023 and 2024.
To his credit, Phillips returned to play all 17 games in 2025-a promising sign that he’s trending in the right direction physically. But the injury history is still a major concern, especially for a player projected to command a three-year, $52 million deal in free agency. That’s an average of $17.3 million per year, a significant investment for a team that’s still building its identity under a new regime.
For the Panthers, the question isn’t just whether Phillips can help-it’s whether the risk is worth the price tag. This is a team that needs immediate impact along the edge, but also one that can’t afford to miss on big-money signings.
If Carolina decides to pursue Phillips, they’ll need to structure the deal carefully-think incentive-laden, with limited guaranteed money up front. That way, they protect themselves financially while still taking a swing on a player with legitimate pass-rushing upside.
There’s no denying Phillips has the tools: size, speed, bend, and the ability to win one-on-one matchups. He’s shown flashes of being a game-wrecker when healthy. But with his injury history, he’s also a gamble-a potentially high-reward move that could backfire if he can’t stay on the field.
The Panthers have to weigh that risk carefully. They could try to land a safer, more durable option in free agency or even turn their attention to the NFL Draft, where a deep class of edge rushers could offer a more cost-effective solution.
Bottom line: Jaelan Phillips is a name to watch, and the fit in Carolina makes sense on paper. But if the Panthers are going to make a move, they’ll need to do it smartly-balancing upside with caution, and potential with pragmatism.