The Philadelphia Eagles are staring down a pivotal offseason, and once again, Howie Roseman finds himself at the center of it all. With a long list of players set to hit free agency, including some cornerstone names on both sides of the ball, Roseman’s decisions in the coming weeks could shape the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
Among the most notable names approaching the open market: edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, tight end Dallas Goedert, safety Reed Blankenship, and linebacker Nakobe Dean. Each brings a unique skill set to the table, and each presents a different kind of challenge when it comes to value, fit, and long-term investment. But if there’s one player who might tip the scales more than the rest, it’s Phillips.
Jaelan Phillips: A Game-Changer with a Price Tag
Phillips, 26, was a midseason acquisition after the Dolphins decided to move on, likely due to cap concerns and his looming contract. His numbers in 2025 didn’t exactly jump off the stat sheet - just two sacks in eight games with the Eagles after notching three in nine games with Miami. But that doesn’t tell the full story.
This was a bounce-back year for Phillips after injuries derailed his 2023 and 2024 campaigns. And while his sack totals were modest, his impact was anything but.
Phillips finished top 10 in pressures (73) and hurries (57), and added 11 quarterback hits across his time with both teams. Those are the kind of disruptive numbers that don’t always show up in the box score but make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
And the Eagles felt that impact in a big way.
Before Phillips arrived, Philly’s pass rush was among the worst in the league. By the end of the season, they were a top-15 unit in total defense and top five in points allowed.
That turnaround didn’t happen by accident. Phillips brought juice off the edge, and Vic Fangio’s defense finally had the kind of playmaker it had been missing.
The Financial Tightrope
Now comes the hard part: keeping him.
Phillips’ market value is estimated around $17.3 million per year - a fair number for a player with his upside, but a tough pill to swallow given his injury history. That’s where a short-term deal could come into play. A one-year, $15 million contract might be the sweet spot - giving Phillips a chance to bet on himself and reset his market in 2027, while giving the Eagles a high-ceiling player without a long-term commitment.
It’s a gamble, sure. But it’s the kind of calculated risk that Roseman has made a career out of navigating. And for a team that saw firsthand just how much Phillips can elevate a defense, it might be a risk worth taking.
A $2 million difference might not seem like much in the grand scheme of a cap sheet, but in a league where every dollar counts - especially when you're trying to retain multiple key contributors - it could be the difference between bringing back a core player or watching him walk.
What’s Next for Philly?
The Eagles have plenty of decisions to make this offseason, and Phillips is just one piece of the puzzle. But he might be the most important one. Bringing him back - especially on a team-friendly, prove-it deal - would be a massive win for a defense that finally started to find its identity late in the season.
There’s no question about his talent. The only question is whether the Eagles and Phillips can find common ground on the numbers.
If they do, Philly’s defense might just be getting started.