As the NFL calendar barrels toward Super Bowl LX between the Patriots and Seahawks, 30 other teams are already deep into free agency mode. And in Philadelphia, one name is quickly rising to the top of the offseason priority list: Jaelan Phillips.
Phillips, who split his 2025 season between Miami and Philadelphia, is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing edge rushers on the market. He may not have posted eye-popping sack totals, but the tape-and the metrics-tell a much deeper story.
From Week 10 through the end of the Eagles’ season, Phillips racked up 43 quarterback pressures and posted a pass-rush win rate of 17.6%. That’s not just solid-that’s disruptive.
And in Vic Fangio’s defense, disruption is the name of the game.
What Phillips brought to the Eagles’ front was more than just raw production. His presence helped elevate the entire unit, contributing to a team-wide increase in sacks compared to 2024. His individual pass-rush grade of 80.7, per Pro Football Focus, backs up what fans and analysts alike saw on the field: a player who consistently won his matchups and forced quarterbacks off their spots.
That kind of impact doesn’t go unnoticed-especially with the legal tampering period for NFL free agency just around the corner on March 9. Phillips is expected to command a significant contract, with projections hovering around $17.3 million per year. That’s the going rate for a high-level edge rusher in today’s NFL, and Phillips has earned his place in that tier.
Of course, there’s a wrinkle. Phillips comes with an injury history that could give some teams pause.
He tore his Achilles in 2023 and followed that with an ACL tear in 2024. Those are serious injuries, and when they stack up, they can affect not just a player’s market but also the structure of any potential deal.
Expect teams to be cautious with guaranteed money, even if the average annual value stays high.
But here’s the thing-Phillips stayed healthy throughout the 2025 regular season and into the playoffs. And when he’s on the field, he’s a problem for opposing offenses.
In 17 games this past season, he totaled 53 tackles, five sacks, seven tackles for loss, and four pass breakups. Those are strong numbers, especially considering he had to adjust midseason to a new scheme and new teammates after the trade from Miami.
For teams in need of an edge presence-whether rebuilding or looking to take the next step-Phillips offers a rare mix of power, speed, and scheme versatility. He’s shown he can thrive in multiple systems and stay productive even when the sack numbers don’t jump off the page.
So while the spotlight is on the Super Bowl for now, front offices across the league are already circling names on their free agency boards. And Jaelan Phillips? He’s circled in red.