Jaelan Phillips got called out by an NFL analyst before even playing a game with the Carolina Panthers.
Jaelan Phillips hasn't even played a game with the Carolina Panthers and he's already getting called out.
NFL analyst Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report believes Phillips is the Panthers' most overpaid player.
"Phillips put up a top-20 PFF pass-rushing grade among qualified edge defenders in 2025, but he was limited to just two sacks in eight games with the Eagles as a rental, and injuries cost him the vast majority of 2023 and 2024 before the Dolphins bailed on him. Considering the 26-year-old has never been a first- or second-team All-Pro or a Pro Bowler, it's pretty wild that he's just the 12th defensive player in the $30 million AAV club."
The Panthers signed Phillips to a massive four-year, $120 million contract. Phillips has never made the Pro Bowl and has suffered big injuries in the past.
Phillips played for the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles last season. The Eagles acquired the 26-year-old from the Dolphins in November. Phillips finished last season with five sacks, 29 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss and 14 QB hits with Miami and Philadelphia.
Phillips has 28 sacks in the NFL with the Dolphins and Eagles. His main job next season is to wreak havoc on opposing QBs.
The Panthers, under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, run a base 3-4 defense. Phillips isn't worried about adjusting his game to a new defensive scheme.
"I've played a lot in 3-4s," said Phillips. "I definitely can say that I'm versatile in the sense that I can get down to the 3 (technique), I can play the edge. I can walk out in coverage. I can drop back to the inside backer if I need to. I've done a lot of things in a lot of different defenses.
"I think that's kind of one of the fortunate things that I've had different coordinators with different teams, different position coaches, stuff like that. So, I've had a lot of experience and been involved in a lot of different systems, so I think that I can definitely contribute in that sense of just being versatile and allowing the defense to be able to be multiple because you don't have to worry about my position."
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