On Monday the Philadelphia Eagles took one of the most daring moves imaginable by firing head coach Chip Kelly. Then, they traded for linebacker Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins to help improve their pass rush through the remainder of the season. It was Phillips’ performance that impressed the Dolphins enough to trade up and take him with the 18th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s shown remarkable upside and production while in Miami.
In order to facilitate the trade, the Dolphins converted $5.1255 million of Phillips’ base salary into a signing bonus. This smart play was integral in getting the process moving. This financial adjustment reflects the team’s commitment to managing their salary cap while allowing Phillips the opportunity to thrive in a new environment.
Phillips was a force from day one of his rookie season, as he broke the franchise rookie record with 8.5 sacks. His performance did not stop at his rookie season, as he followed that up with seven sacks in his sophomore campaign. In the current season, Phillips has shown promise, amassing 6.5 sacks in just eight games under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. His season took a dramatic turn when he tore his Achilles in the second half of a game against the New York Jets on Black Friday. The injury shifted everything for him.
Inactivity aside, due to his injury history, Phillips is still one of the most respected players. Unbeknownst to many, he is due to hit free agency after this season. This trade is much needed for both the Eagles and Phillips as the Eagles look to turn around his play while increasing his value for future paydays. The Eagles traded a 2026 third-round draft pick to secure him, indicating their belief in his potential to contribute significantly to their defense.
The Eagles are looking forward to Phillips joining the team in Philadelphia. In particular, they need to bulk up their pass rush, which has faltered for long stretches this season. He’ll plug right into a scary Alabama A&M defensive unit that features studs like Jalyx Hunt, Joshua Uche and Patrick Johnson. Together again with Vic Fangio, though, could help Phillips’ reintroduction into the Eagles’ system go much more smoothly. Fangio was the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator when Phillips played in Miami.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel expressed his sentiments regarding Phillips’ departure, stating, “I have a high regard and a lot of investment into Jaelan Phillips, and that part of the business I absolutely despise in terms of having to say goodbye to a player.” This statement underscores Phillips’ importance to the Dolphins organization and highlights the emotional aspect of player transactions in professional sports.
With the Eagles staring down even tougher competition in the weeks to come, they’ll be counting on Phillips’ talents to take their defense to another level. These players listed above are reportedly on the trading block for the Miami Dolphins. That certainly includes bona fide stars like Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon as they work to adapt through their new roster situations.
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