The Philadelphia Eagles are being predicted to make a risky, expensive move to solidify their defense.
While the Philadelphia Eagles' offense has labored this season, their defense has been nasty, particularly throughout the second half of the year.
Really, things changed when the Eagles landed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips in a deadline trade with the Miami Dolphins. Since then, Philadelphia's defense has, for the most part, been nearly impenetrable.
The problem is that Phillips is headed toward free agency this offseason, and with the former first-round pick enjoying an impressive 2025 campaign, he should have a fairly robust market.
That could make it difficult for the Eagles to re-sign him, especially with Philadelphia not exactly having the friendliest salary cap situation.
However, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox still expects Philly to get something done with Phillips, projecting that the pass rusher will be retained on a three-year, $80 million contract.
"With $22.2 million in projected cap space, the Eagles may not seriously consider using the franchise tag on Phillips — the 2025 tag value for linebackers was $25.5 million," Knox wrote. "However, Philly should make an aggressive push to re-sign the Miami product on a multi-year deal before or during free agency."
Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images.While Phillips has played well this season, registering 53 tackles, five sacks and 14 quarterback hits, the catch is that the 26-year-old has an extensive injury history that makes him a very risky pick this coming offseason.
Phillips entered the league with the Dolphins in 2021 and played in every game his first two NFL seasons. But then, midway through 2023, Phillips tore his Achilles. The following year, the University of Miami product tore his ACL.
Those are two of the worst injuries you can have as a professional athlete, and Phillips has already endured both of them.
If the Eagles are going to re-sign Phillips on such a pricy deal, they will have to make sure they load up the contract with incentives rather than providing him with hefty guarantees.
Phillips is good, but he is not Myles Garrett. Philadelphia would be able to replace him, potentially even through the NFL Draft.
That's why Philly definitely needs to approach this impending situation with extreme caution.