The Carolina Panthers have made waves in free agency by snagging edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Philadelphia Eagles with a blockbuster deal. This move could significantly reshape Carolina’s defense, but it's worth asking: did they pay too much?
Some analysts, like Brad Gagnon from Bleacher Report, believe Phillips might be overvalued. Despite Phillips achieving a top-20 PFF pass-rushing grade among qualified edge defenders in 2025, his production was limited to just two sacks in eight games with the Eagles. Injuries plagued his 2023 and 2024 seasons, leading to the Dolphins parting ways with him.
At 26, Phillips has yet to earn first- or second-team All-Pro honors or a Pro Bowl selection, making his entry into the $30 million AAV club somewhat surprising.
The Panthers likely had to offer big to secure Phillips, as he had multiple suitors, including the Eagles. Phillips himself acknowledged that the decision came down to Carolina's compelling offer.
“I have respect for them (the Eagles), and I don’t want to disclose what they were offering or anything like that, but they definitely did want me to come back,” Phillips explained. “Ultimately, the Panthers just came with a more attractive offer. That just shows the belief they have in me and their team.”
Only time will reveal if the Panthers’ hefty investment in Phillips pays off, but given the size of the contract, it’s understandable to approach the situation with some skepticism.