While the downsides to trading for Jaelan Phillips regarding what the Philadelphia Eagles did at the trade deadline seem relatively small, there are also a few ways the organization could look at the deal.
For one, trading just a third-round pick for a player of Phillips' caliber shouldn't be viewed as a bad thing, but it's also tough to ignore some of his injuries.
Had Phillips been healthy throughout a lot more of his career, not only would the Miami Dolphins likely have attempted to keep him around, but he would’ve gone for a whole lot more in terms of a trade.
It's also important to recognize that Phillips has an upcoming contract situation, and with the Eagles being loaded on both sides of the football, he’ll have to prove that Philadelphia made the right decision if he wants to get paid.
According to The Athletic’s Zach Berman, it isn't a guarantee that Phillips will get a deal, and while it's possible, it won't happen during the season.
According to Berman, Howie Roseman stated that he doesn't expect to give out any in-season contracts to any player on the team, just to be fair.
“Phillips sounded amenable to making the arrangement in Philadelphia last beyond the Eagles’ Super Bowl push. Roseman indicated that the Eagles will not give out in-season contract extensions this year so as not to pit one pending free agent against another,” he wrote.
Phillips was questioned on whether he'd want to stay in Philadelphia.
While obviously the question might be a bit premature, considering he's yet to even play a snap for them, he said that he'd be willing to return to the Eagles, as long as he's continuing to be in a position where he's around good football players and a team that can win.
“I would just love to be in any position to where I’m around great guys on a great team and a great culture, and that’s definitely what the Eagles organization is,” Phillips said. “So if they would want to have me back, I’d love to be here. But taking it day by day. What’s most important is taking care of business right now.”