It was a poorly kept secret that the Philadelphia Eagles, given defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s history with the player, were interested in trading for Dolphins edge Jaelan Phillips before this year’s deadline.
That Philly got the deal done with plenty of time to spare should surprise absolutely no one. It’s why Howie Roseman is universally regarded as the best general manager in the NFL.
With top pass rusher Nolan Smith Jr. still managing a triceps injury, and the production from that group as a whole waning, Roseman had little choice but to give up a premium draft pick to land a potential difference-maker; Phillips qualifies, as the 26-year-old now leads all Eagles defenders in total QB pressures this season with 32, per Pro Football Focus.
The best part of this move for the Eagles? It opens up several doors, both for the remainder of 2025 and beyond.
Philadelphia Eagles edge Jaelan Phillips will count against the NFL’s compensatory pick formula for the 2027 draft
There’s a game within the game for NFL general managers, and Roseman plays it at an elite level.
Phillips is currently playing on a fully-guaranteed, $13.25 million fifth-year option for 2025, per Spotrac; that means his rookie contract is set to expire.
The Eagles reportedly sent their 2026 third-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for Phillips. So why would Roseman spend a top-96 draft pick for a player who could potentially walk as a free agent next March?
It’s all about the compensatory pick formula — which the Eagles utilized to the max this offseason. Their third-round pick was expendable, not only because they still hold the Jets’ third-round pick for last year’s Haason Reddick trade, but because they're expecting to get a third-round comp pick for losing Milton Williams to a $104 million free agent contract from the Patriots.
The game within the game thickens when you factor in that Phillips now counts against Philly’s comp-pick formula for the 2027 draft. In other words, if Phillips plays well and signs elsewhere next March, the Eagles could potentially recoup a draft pick in 2027 for his services, depending on his contract and Philly’s own spending in free agency.
To answer the questions coming in: Yes, J. Phillips would count toward the comp. pick formula if he departed. And my guess is the Eagles aren't big FA spenders this offseason with some in-house contract extensions upcoming.
But edge rusher is a long-term need, Phillips is 26,… https://t.co/BzHJorW8GU
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) November 3, 2025
With the Dolphins paying a portion of Phillips’ prorated contract for the remainder of 2025, the Eagles are in a win-win situation. Roseman will have the option to sign Phillips to an extension, securing the premier pass rusher his defense sorely needs; or he can cut ties in free agency with minimal impact to the overall draft board.
It’s certainly possible that Phillips ends up being a three-month rental as the Eagles pursue a second consecutive Super Bowl title. He hasn’t played more than 10 regular-season games since 2022, and has some major injury concerns on his resume; he lost his 2023 season to a torn Achilles, and played only four games in 2024 after tearing his ACL.
Read more:Eagles’ biggest winner of Jets trade has been hiding in plain sight
But in typical Roseman fashion, this move creates a multitude of options, mitigates risk, and is a value-add overall as the Eagles gear up for another second-half surge.