The most crushing part of the 2026 offseason so far was the Philadelphia Eagles losing their top pass rusher, Jaelan Phillips, in free agency.
While the Eagles were in the conversation and tried to get Phillips to come back, he decided to sign a four-year, $120 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. It was a move that stunned Eagles fans, but after seeing the final price tag, everyone understood why Philly bowed out.
Phillips appeared on the NFL Network's Good Morning Football show, where he was asked about the behind-the-scenes of the negotiation process. Philly did want Phillips to come back, but the veteran edge rusher said the Panthers "just came with a more attractive offer. . . . Clearly, that just shows the belief they have in me.''
Eagles wanted Jaelan Phillips, but Panthers outbid them
Phillips was ninth in the NFL in pressures (73) and fifth in hurries (57) last season with the Miami Dolphins and Eagles. He made a significant difference for the team as Philly went from being one of the worst pass-rushing units in the NFL in the first half of the season to being a top-five unit.
The Eagles would have loved to have Phillips back on the team for the next three to four years, but giving someone $30 million per year after they missed 22 games between 2023 and 2024 is not worth the risk for Philly. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman would rather go cheaper in free agency and roll with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith.
Roseman did end up going cheaper, signing former Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie to a one-year deal. He can get pressure on the quarterback for less money and still do a lot of the same things Phillips can.
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No Eagles fan can blame Phillips for taking the money. It's just a shame they couldn't make something work out.