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Jaelan Phillips left the Miami Dolphins with nothing but gratitude. While Phillips has been excellent for the Dolphins, his trade to the Philadelphia Eagles does not come as a surprise. Notably, the Eagles traded for the LB in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick right before the trade deadline day. And before starting his new journey in Philadelphia, the 26-year-old LB sent a final message to the Phins. ”I want to thank the Miami Dolphins organization and the South Florida community for embracing me for these last 5 years,” an emotional Phillips wrote on Instagram. “I am forever grateful to everyone who welcomed me and made me feel at home. I wish nothing but the best to the team, organization, and fans 🙏🏻” The Eagles got a player in Phillips who is perfect for them: an athletically gifted edge rusher with All-Pro traits. He simply hasn’t stayed healthy long enough to fully deliver on them. However, this year he recorded three sacks and 25 tackles in nine games. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad In Jalen Carter’s absence, the Eagless needed to add a pass rusher. Phillips’ burst and bend give the Eagles a flexible chess piece: someone who can tilt the pocket and complement the front already built around Carter. That was a practical decision for Miami as well. Phillips is in the final year of his rookie contract, and re-signing him seemed improbable since they are looking for a reset. The Dolphins’ maximizing of value now, with calls coming on both Bradley Chubb and Jaylen Waddle, could be the start of a broader reshaping for a roster that could be facing a reset. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Phillips arrived in Philadelphia on Monday and didn’t hide his enthusiasm about the fresh start, or about reuniting with a familiar coach. “There’s literally no other team I would rather play for,” he told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark. “I love Vic as a person and a coach. I’m excited to be back in his system.” He was in Miami with Vic Fangio for a season, and the breakout stretch, 6.5 sacks in eight games, came in that scheme before the Achilles injury. This landing spot had a lot to do with Fangio trusting him and believing in his upside. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Eagles grant Vic Fangio’s familiar request The signing of Jaelan Phillips by the Eagles has been framed in some circles as Vic Fangio “requesting” a familiar pass rusher, but it’s not quite that simple. This wasn’t some defensive coordinator dictating front-office plans; this was Philadelphia recognizing a coach-driven fit rooted in proven chemistry, scheme familiarity, and shared belief in a player’s untapped peak. Fangio has always liked long, explosive edge defenders with closing burst and position versatility; Phillips checks every box. The two thrived together in 2023 before injury interrupted that momentum, and while Fangio didn’t storm the room demanding this trade, it’s clear he saw Phillips as an ideal match for the culture, system, and identity he’s helping build in Philadelphia. The front office and coordinator met in the middle on a targeted move born not from a power play, but from alignment. That fit is magnified by Phillips’s journey. However, his path was almost derailed by injuries, but the comeback at Miami rejuvenated the hype as he showed some dominance that forced double-teams and lit up film rooms around the league. Now 26, Phillips lands in Philadelphia with a new runway ahead and into a franchise that historically maximizes trench talents. His prime remains out in front of him if health cooperates, and reuniting with a coach who already unlocked the best version of him can be that catalyst.
