When it comes to roster building in Philadelphia, Howie Roseman has made a name for himself by threading the needle between value and production. The Eagles’ general manager isn’t in the habit of overpaying, but he’s also not shy about making a bold move if it means upgrading a key position. And with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips set to hit free agency, the Eagles are staring down a tough decision: pay up to keep a familiar face, or explore a potentially cheaper trade option in Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II.
Let’s break it down.
The Financials and the Fit
Phillips is likely to command somewhere in the $15-17 million per year range on the open market. That’s a significant chunk of cap space, especially for a team like the Eagles that has other holes to fill and pending free agents to consider.
Enter Jermaine Johnson, a 2022 first-round pick who made the Pro Bowl in his second season but hasn’t quite lived up to the hype since then. He missed most of 2024 with a torn Achilles and didn’t bounce back in the way the Jets had hoped in 2025, finishing with just three sacks and six quarterback hits over 14 games.
From a cap standpoint, Johnson comes in at $13.4 million-roughly $3-4 million less than what Phillips is expected to earn. That difference may not seem huge, but in a cap-tight offseason, every dollar counts. That savings could be the difference between bringing back a key rotational piece or adding depth at another position of need.
But money isn’t everything.
Production vs. Potential
Phillips, when healthy, has shown he can be a disruptive force off the edge. He’s not just a sack artist-he pressures quarterbacks, sets the edge against the run, and plays with the kind of motor that defensive coordinators love.
More importantly, he already knows Vic Fangio’s scheme. That’s no small thing.
Continuity in a complex defensive system matters, and Phillips has proven he can thrive in it.
Johnson, on the other hand, is more of a projection at this point. He has the tools-length, athleticism, and first-round pedigree-but he hasn’t consistently put it all together.
The Jets reportedly weren’t eager to move him for a second-round pick at last season’s trade deadline, but that was before they were potentially in position to draft another edge rusher this spring. If Johnson does become available, it’s easy to see why the Eagles would at least kick the tires.
Risk vs. Reward
Here’s the real question: can the Eagles afford to take a risk on a player like Johnson in a season that feels pivotal for the franchise?
Philadelphia is coming off a disappointing finish and needs to bounce back in a big way in 2026. That means minimizing uncertainty wherever possible.
Johnson might be the more affordable option, but he’s also the bigger gamble. Phillips brings familiarity, proven production, and trust-three things that are hard to put a price tag on.
If Roseman decides to roll the dice, it’ll be because he believes Johnson still has untapped upside and that the Eagles’ defensive infrastructure can bring it out of him. But with the team looking to reassert itself in a loaded NFC, the safer-and smarter-play might be to pay a little more to keep a known commodity in-house.
The Bottom Line
The Eagles have a tough call to make at edge rusher. Jermaine Johnson offers cap flexibility and potential upside, but Jaelan Phillips brings proven production and scheme fit. In a year where Philly can’t afford missteps, sticking with what they know might be the best move-even if it costs a few extra million.
For a team with championship aspirations, sometimes the most valuable asset isn’t cap space-it’s certainty.