One of the roughest parts of the offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles was losing the bidding war for edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
The Carolina Panthers were the victors as they got him on a four-year, $120 million contract with $80 million guaranteed, making the $30 million per year deal the most expensive one among the free agent signings. While many Eagles fans were disappointed to lose Phillips, most are glad the team didn't pay that kind of price for him. Bleacher Report writer Gary Davenport agreed, calling Phillips' contract one of the eight worst NFL free agent overpays of 2026.
"The truck full of cash didn't hurt though. Phillips is a talented player entering his prime who had 35 pressures in 2025—good for 12th in the league per Pro Football Reference. But we're talking about a player whose best season in terms of sacks (8.5) came back in his rookie season in 2021. A player who suffered an Achilles tendon tear and torn ACL in consecutive seasons. And a player who hasn't had seven sacks in a campaign since 2022. Sure, Phillips has potential. But $30 million a season is a lot to pay for 'maybe.'"
Eagles avoided overpaying for Jaelan Phillips in free agency
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman valued Phillips and was ready to pay him before free agency, but even he realized that $30 million per year was well beyond his price range. If the Panthers want to take their chances with him, that's perfectly fine.
Phillips was ninth in the NFL in pressures (73) and fifth in hurries (57) last season, proving that he can get to the quarterback, but five total sacks on the season with the Eagles and Miami Dolphins do not exactly scream $30 million-per-year edge rusher. Also, Phillips has had two major injuries in 2023 and 2024, raising enough concern to avoid paying him that kind of money.
Instead, the Eagles found a capable replacement for him with former Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie to a one-year deal. Ebiketie may not get the kind of production that Philly might need, but he will be a perfect rotational pass rusher with Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt.
Read more: Eagles fans better hope A.J. Brown heard Richard Sherman's thoughts on trade talks
The Eagles more than likely will add another edge rusher either through a trade or select one in the NFL Draft. Fans in Philly will appreciate what Phillips did last year to turn the defense's season around, but they back Roseman for not overpaying for him.