Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
PHILADELPHIA — Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips has had many good moments during his football career, but joining the Eagles ranks at the top of the list. After spending five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Phillips was traded to the Eagles Monday morning for a third-round pick, joining one of the NFL’s most talented defensive lines. He is set to make his Eagles debut this Monday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, with a chance to wreak havoc on quarterback Jordan Love. “This is literally the greatest thing that’s happened to me in my whole life, probably.” Phillips told reporters on Thursday. “But it’s just awesome. The guys are awesome. Everybody has been super welcoming. I love the environment here. I love the vibe here. City of Philly is giving me a very warm welcome. I got about 20 times the amount of Instagram likes that I ever got on a post before from Philly fans, so shout out to y’all. But, yeah, it’s been great so far, getting out there, practicing. I love the weather here. I love the locker room. Everything’s awesome.” That is a strong statement from someone who has already experienced so much success. A first-round pick out of Miami in 2021, the 6-3, 265-pound edge rusher has recorded 26 sacks in the NFL, a number that would be higher if not for consecutive season-ending injuries during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. At his peak in 2023, he was considered one of the league’s best pass rushers, amassing 6.5 sacks in eight games. So why does he feel that way? “I just think it’s a pivotal point in my life and in my career,” Phillips said. “I have a baby on the way, a little boy coming. Coming here, obviously contract year next year. I’m taking it day by day, but I just truly feel like this is an amazing opportunity for me to come in. And I’m just grateful to be able to do everything I can to help the team, too.” The Eagles and Phillips need each other — making them a perfect match. Phillips could be missing the piece that helps Philadelphia return to another Super Bowl in February, and playing in the Eagles’ defense could help him rediscover his elite potential. Phillips instantly becomes Philadelphia’s most talented edge rusher, stepping into a starting role opposite Nolan Smith. The Eagles also have Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche and Brandon Graham rounding out a strong edge rotation. “You gotta kind of wait and see how it shakes out, but just off the rip, obviously, incredibly talented team, winning culture, a great defense, great defensive scheme, great defensive front, great DBs,” Phillips said. “I think everything is just kind of matching up for me to come in and try to be as productive as possible. Obviously being able to be on a contender, hopefully going and winning another Super Bowl. … Like I said, I’m very blessed to be here and have this opportunity.” Getting traded midseason is a huge adjustment for most NFL players, but Phillips’ transition to Philadelphia could go smoother because he played under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Miami during the 2023 season. Phillips said he didn’t have extensive conversations with Fangio after getting traded because Fangio “isn’t a man of many words,” but he believes they’re already on the same page. “We have a lot of freedom and a lot of just ability to kind of just pin our ears back and have that aggressive rushing mindset,” Phillips said. “I had some good success in Vic’s scheme back in 23. And I’m just excited to be a part of this.” The Eagles are just as excited to get Phillips, who has been playing his best ball as of late. Since Week 5, he has posted the third-highest pressure rate (20%) in the league, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. His 16.5% pressure rate this season is a career high, ranking 10th among defenders with at least 150 rushes. “Explosive player, able to get to the quarterback, violent in the run game, can create a lot of disruption,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about Phillips. “Just a lot of how we like to play that position. Vic (Fangio) having familiarity with him is obviously big. It takes away some of that learning curve of getting ready to go.” Since Week 5, Phillips has also finished with three sacks and seven quarterback hits. He can bend around the edge and win inside against interior offensive linemen. After spending most of the last two years rehabbing from an ACL tear and Achilles tendon rupture, the 26-year-old is especially motivated to play well. “Just tenacity, tenacity and hard work,” Phillips said about what he brings to Philadelphia’s defense. “Work ethic. “Obviously, when I get on the field, when I’m at my best, I feel like I’m a very productive and disruptive player. But most of all, my effort stands out. Coming here and having the opportunity to prove myself, I think is going to be a great thing for me. It’s like a chip on my shoulder. So, yeah, I’m just excited to go out there and work my a-- off.” Phillips will become a free agent this offseason, but he hopes to make Philadelphia his long-term home. “I mean, absolutely,” Phillips said about wanting to play for the Eagles beyond this season. “I would just love to be in any (position) to where I’m around great guys on a great team with a great culture, and that’s definitely what the Eagles organization is. So if they would want to have me back, I would love to be here, but like I said, just taking it day by day. What’s most important is taking care of business right now.”
