Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles have made their splash move at the NFL trade deadline.
The Miami Dolphins are trading edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick, according to multiple reports.
The Dolphins are paying a portion of Phillips’ pro-rated $13.25 million salary to facilitate the deal, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
The Eagles had already been active in the lead-up to Tuesday’s cutoff, last week acquiring cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II to add flexibility to their secondary.
The Deal
- The Miami Dolphins have traded edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick. ESPN.com+2ESPN.com+2
- Phillips is in the final year of his contract, so this acquisition is likely a “win-now” move for the Eagles. SI+1
- He reunites with the Eagles’ defensive system under Vic Fangio, who was his defensive coordinator in Miami in 2023. ESPN.com+1
What Phillips Brings
- Drafted 18th overall in 2021 by the Dolphins. ESPN.com+1
- Early career: 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2021 followed by a 7-sack season in 2022. SI+1
- Though his recent seasons have been marred by injuries (including a torn Achilles in 2023 and ACL in 2024) he remains a high-upside athlete. ESPN.com+1
- For the Eagles, he adds an edge pass-rushing option they’ve been seeking: “the Eagles have just 16 total sacks this season — bottom-third of the league — but now it is getting someone who can help fix that.” SI
Why It Makes Sense — and What the Risks Are
Why it makes sense:
- The Eagles are defending champions and looking to bolster their roster for another run; adding a younger pass-rusher with upside fits that mold.
- A third-round pick is a reasonable price for a player with as much early production and talent as Phillips, given his contract situation.
- Familiarity with Fangio’s system should help with the transition.
- For Miami: They appear to be in transition/re-tool mode (GM change, 2-7 record) so moving a contract year player for draft value makes sense. New York Post
Risks & caveats:
- Health/injury history: major lower-body injuries reduce availability and potentially long-term production.
- Contract year: If he leaves in free agency, the Eagles may get only short-term benefit; though they could earn a compensatory pick down the line. SI
- The move addresses pass rush, but defense is a complex puzzle — one piece doesn’t necessarily fix all issues (e.g., run defense, secondary, scheme).
- For Miami, moving Phillips may raise questions about competitive intent, but if they are ready to rebuild it’s consistent.
Final Thought
This trade is a bold move by the Eagles aimed at shoring up a key weakness in their defense. If Jaelan Phillips can stay healthy and return to his early-career form, this could be a huge win. For the Dolphins, converting an edge rusher into draft capital signals a clear shift toward the future.