With the Philadelphia Eagles, the offseason is merely a suggestion. For Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, mid-February is the season of the chess match.
While the Eagles’ roster remains one of the most talented in the NFC, a massive looming decision sits atop the priority list in Philadelphia: what to do with pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips?
Acquired in a trade-deadline deal last October, Phillips was looked upon as the missing piece intended to supercharge the Eagles' pass rush for a deep playoff run. It wasn't a failed trade, nor was it a major hit, but now, with his contract set to expire, the Eagles face a familiar, high-stakes dilemma.
The $28 Million Gamble
Phillips proved to be exactly as advertised in midnight green—explosive and disruptive. Even with modest sack totals, his pressure rate ranked among the league's elite in 2025, amassing at least two pressures in each of his nine appearances (44 total). However, the price of keeping him via the franchise tag has reached eye-watering territory.
In his Eagles debut, Jaelan Phillips totaled seven pressures to lead all Eagles pass-rushers — next closest was Jalen Carter (4).
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) November 11, 2025
It’s the most pressures Phillips has had in a single night since Week 1 in 2023 (v LAC).
Taking a peek at the market, the projected 2026 franchise tag for edge players is expected to hit nearly $27.5 million to $28 million. For a team that historically values a rotation over one singular high-priced star, swallowing a nearly $30 million cap hit for one year of Phillips is a jagged pill.
The Case for the Tag
Roseman doesn't trade away premium draft capital (a third-round pick in this case) for rentals, and the argument for tagging Phillips is about leverage. By applying the tag, the Eagles prevent Phillips from entering the open market, where a desperate team would likely offer him a deal he couldn't ignore.
It would also give the Eagles until July to structure one of those classic Roseman extensions—heavy on void years and signing bonuses—to lower the 2026 cap number to a manageable $8–$10 million per year.
The Trade-Back Play
If the two sides are worlds apart on a long-term number, the "Tag and Trade" becomes a viable path. Phillips is only 26 and has shown he is fully recovered from his previous Achilles injury. A team with massive cap space -- like the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, or Los Angeles Chargers-- would likely give up capital to secure a premier edge rusher in his prime. In this scenario, Roseman effectively "flips" Phillips, turning a 2025 third-round investment into 2026 capital.
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The Eagles' philosophy is built on the trenches, and you usually don't let elite pass-rushing talent walk out the door when you’re in a championship window. Especially when they're 26 and have shown up consistently week to week. Expect Philadelphia to use the tag on Phillips, but don’t be surprised if it’s merely a placeholder for an extension that keeps him in town through 2030.