The Philadelphia Eagles are being predicted to lose a key member of their team.
Back at the NFL trade deadline, the Philadelphia Eagles acquired edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a third-round pick, and Phillips helped transform their defense.
During the first half of the season, the Eagles' defense was laboring, and their lack of a pass rush and players who could blow things up in the backfield was a big reason why.
Enter Phillips, who hasn't posted huge numbers with 28 tackles, a couple of sacks and seven quarterback hits in eight games with Philadelphia, but has certainly made a significant impact.
The problem? Phillips is set to hit free agency during the offseason, and with the Eagles not having the friendliest financial situation, they may have no choice but to let him walk.
In fact, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox is projecting Phillips to land a three-year, $80 million contract in free agency, and he has tabbed the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers as the top two landing spots for the former first-round pick.
Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images."Phillips' injury history will likely lead to an incentive-laden deal that gives his next employer some insurance against another stretch of missed time—he played just 12 games between 2023 and 2024. However, the 26-year-old will be the top edge-defender on a lot of boards," Knox wrote.
That's the catch with Phillips. Yes, he is a very good player when healthy, but he tore his Achilles in 2023 and then tore his ACL the following season.
Would Philadelphia really want to commit that much money to a player who has two of the most devastating injuries an athlete can suffer on his medical record?
Because the Eagles traded a Day 2 pick to acquire Phillips, they may feel more inclined to retain him, but because Philadelphia is also so adept at identifying talent, it may also feel comfortable letting him sign elsewhere and then drafting an edge rusher to replace him.
Remember: the Eagles had no problem parting ways with fellow edge rusher Josh Sweat — not to mention defensive tackle Milton Williams — last March, and two years ago, they traded away two-time Pro Bowler Haason Reddick.
Philadelphia will face the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Sunday.