The Eagles are staring down a pivotal offseason, and the decisions they make in the coming weeks could shape the trajectory of the franchise for years to come. At the heart of it all? Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips - a midseason acquisition who’s now the centerpiece of one of Philly’s biggest roster dilemmas.
Let’s rewind for a second. The Eagles traded a 2026 third-round pick to bring Phillips over from Miami at the deadline.
It wasn’t just a flyer - they saw a player who fit Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme and culture. And Phillips delivered.
In just eight games, he racked up 2 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, 4 passes defensed, and a forced fumble. But the stat line doesn’t tell the whole story.
What stood out most was his ability to set the edge in the run game - a non-negotiable in Fangio’s system. That kind of discipline and physicality doesn’t always show up on highlight reels, but it’s exactly what makes a defense tick.
Now, here’s the catch: Phillips is set to hit free agency, and he’s only 26. Despite a history of injuries, he’s a young, productive edge rusher - and that’s the kind of profile that gets paid in this league.
We’re talking about a potential $17 million per year payday. That’s a steep price tag for a team entering the offseason with roughly $20 million in cap space.
So, what’s the move?
The franchise tag is basically off the table. At an estimated $26.6 million, tagging Phillips would blow up the Eagles’ cap flexibility and handcuff them from addressing other pressing needs. That leaves two options: sign him to a long-term deal or let him walk.
And letting him walk isn’t a crazy thought - not when you consider the broader financial picture. The Eagles have other key contributors heading into free agency, including tight end Dallas Goedert, safety Reed Blankenship, and linebacker Nakobe Dean. Add in the looming contract extensions for young defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, and it’s clear that the front office is juggling a lot of moving parts.
General manager Howie Roseman has never shied away from bold decisions, and this could be another one of those moments. If the Eagles decide not to re-sign Phillips, the draft becomes a logical pivot.
This year’s class is loaded with edge rushers - at least 10 prospects are projected to go in the first round, and several could step in as day-one starters. Roseman has hinted at leaning more heavily on the draft to build out the roster, and this could be the perfect spot to do just that.
Still, it’s a gamble. Letting a proven NFL edge rusher walk - especially one who’s already shown he can thrive in Fangio’s system - isn’t a decision to take lightly. But with the Super Bowl window still cracked open, Roseman has to strike the right balance between managing the cap and keeping the roster competitive.
Re-signing Phillips would send a message that the Eagles are all-in on maximizing this core while they still can. Letting him go and turning to the draft would be a bet on the future - and on the front office’s ability to identify and develop talent quickly.
Either way, the decision on Jaelan Phillips won’t just define this offseason. It could define the next chapter of Eagles football.