The Philadelphia Eagles bolstered their pass rush by trading for outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins on Monday. In exchange, the Dolphins received a 2026 third-round draft pick. The deal reunites Phillips with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and comes amid Miami's ongoing rebuild.
The NFL trade deadline, set for Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, saw early action with the Philadelphia Eagles adding edge-rushing depth. The reigning Super Bowl champions, sitting at 6-2, sent a 2026 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for the 26-year-old Phillips, a former first-round pick out of UCLA who played college at Miami.
This marks the Eagles' third acquisition in five days. Six days prior, they obtained slot cornerback Michael Carter II from the New York Jets. Two days ago, they added former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens in a low-stakes deal involving a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder. General manager Howie Roseman, known for aggressive moves, targeted Phillips to address needs with Nolan Smith recovering from injury and Brandon Graham filling in after Za'Darius Smith's abrupt retirement.
Phillips brings proven production when healthy, including 6.5 sacks in eight games under Fangio in 2023. However, availability has been an issue, with 22 games missed combined from 2023-24. He is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, making this a potential rental for Philadelphia's title repeat bid.
For the Dolphins, mired in turmoil with no playoff win in 17 seasons and general manager Chris Grier recently dismissed, the trade signals a rebuild. Coach Mike McDaniel's future is uncertain, but acquiring draft capital for a player on an expiring deal aligns with retaining younger talent while shedding volatility. Analysts graded the deal a B for Miami and C+ for Philadelphia, noting the Eagles' gamble on Phillips' upside versus injury risks.
The Chicago Bears had discussed a potential move for Phillips but were outmaneuvered, highlighting league-wide interest in Miami's pass rushers amid the deadline frenzy.
