One of the top priorities for the Philadelphia Eagles before the start of the new 2026 league year is to get a deal done with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
After a stellar half-season with the Eagles last year, general manager Howie Roseman has reportedly made it a priority to make sure that Phillips is re-signed before he hits the free agency market, where he could land well over $20 million per year. NFL insider Jordan Schultz shared an update on the negotiations between the Eagles and Phillips.
"The Eagles remain very interested in bringing back OLB Jaelan Phillips — and talks are expected to continue and intensify, per sources.
Phillips has a very strong market from what I’ve gathered and is poised to cash in big if he reaches free agency — but Philly isn’t done trying."
The #Eagles remain very interested in bringing back OLB Jaelan Phillips — and talks are expected to continue and intensify, per sources.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 8, 2026
Phillips has a very strong market from what I’ve gathered and is poised to cash in big if he reaches free agency — but Philly isn’t done… pic.twitter.com/nloM5BzOAc
Eagles trying to get a deal done with Jaelan Phillips
To show the kind of impact that Phillips had on this defense last year, The Philly Special Show's Anthony DiBona shared on X the numbers of the Eagles' pass rush before he arrived and after he arrived:
Eagles pass rush stats before Jaelan Phillips arrived (Weeks 1-8):
Sacks: 16 (two sacks per game)
QB hits: 28 (3.5 QB hits per game)
QB pressures: 165 (20.6 QB pressures per game)
Eagles pass rush stats after Jaelan Phillips arrived (Weeks 10-17 + Wild Card Round):
Sacks: 23 (2.6 sacks per game)
QB hits: 29 (3.2 QB hits per game)
QB pressures: 208 (23.1 QB pressures per game)
In 17 games last season with the Miami Dolphins and Eagles, Phillips racked up 53 tackles, 14 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, four pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. He was ninth in the NFL in pressures with 73 and fifth in hurries with 57.
Phillips is comfortable in Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme and has excelled in it. The Eagles know how important he is to a rough-edge rusher room that struggled before his arrival last season, even with guys like Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt showing promise for the future.
Read more: Eagles starting to think outside the box on potential A.J. Brown trade
There is legitimate concern that if the Eagles can't get a deal done with Phillips and he tests the free agent market, he could be as good as gone. Roseman is going to work hard on making sure that doesn't happen.