Howie Roseman continues making smart moves for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles general manager pulled off another clever deal by landing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from Miami for just a 2026 third-round pick.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman looks on prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman looks on prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The trade becomes even better when we look at the financial details. Miami will cover a portion of Phillips’ 2025 salary, giving Philadelphia major cap relief. The Dolphins are essentially paying Phillips to play for their division rival.
This marks Roseman’sthird move in seven days. He previously brought in cornerback Michael Carter from the Jets and Jaire Alexander from Baltimore. The general manager clearly wants to strengthen the defense for a playoff push.
Sources: Miami is trading edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick.
This is the third trade the Eagles have made in the past week. They now have added Phillips, CB Jaire Alexander and CB Michael Carter. pic.twitter.com/orXU4gKnwg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 3, 2025
Phillips reunites with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who coached him during the 2023 season in Miami. That existing relationship should help Phillips adjust quickly to Philadelphia’s defensive scheme. The familiarity matters when joining a team mid-season.
Miami drafted Phillips 18th overall in 2021, and he delivered immediately. He set a franchise rookie record with 8.5 sacks during his first year. The following season brought seven more sacks before injuries derailed his career.
A torn Achilles in 2023 under Fangio forced him to miss most of that season. Then, an ACL tear in 2024 raised further concerns about his durability. Those major injuries now appear behind him as he returns to full health.
Phillips has shown he’s healthy this season despite Miami’s overall struggles. He’s recorded 25 total tackles and three sacks through nine games. Those numbers prove he can still make plays when on the field.
The Eagles desperately need edge rush help after Za’Darius Smith retired. Brandon Graham came out of retirement two weeks ago, but nobody knows how much the veteran can contribute at his age. Phillips provides younger, more reliable depth.
Philadelphia also owns multiple edge rushers including Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Joshua Uche and Patrick Johnson. Adding Phillips gives the team better options for rotating players and keeping everyone fresh during games.
Future Draft Pick Sweetens the Deal
The trade carries another hidden benefit for Philadelphia’s future. If Phillips leaves as a free agent down the road, the Eagles could receive a 2027 compensatory draft pick. That creates a win-win situation for Roseman.
Compensatory picks get awarded based on the contracts departing free agents sign elsewhere. Phillips is young enough and talented enough to earn a solid contract when his current deal ends. Philadelphia would benefit even if he walks away.
The third-round pick Philadelphia sent to Miami comes from the 2026 draft. That means Roseman didn’t sacrifice anything from this year’s draft class. The Eagles can still make picks in the upcoming draft without any holes.
Miami clearly wanted to move on from Phillips despite his recent strong play. The Dolphins are struggling this season and may be looking toward rebuilding mode. Trading away a 2021 first-round pick signals they’re rethinking their roster construction.
For Philadelphia, this deal brings minimal risk with smart deal potential. A third-round pick represents good value for a former first-rounder who’s playing well. The salary relief makes it even better.
Roseman has built a reputation for finding value in trades throughout his career. This latest move aligns with his pattern of making smart deals that benefit both the present and the future. The Eagles get better immediately while protecting their future assets.
Philadelphia sits in strong position for a playoff run with these defensive additions. The team addressed multiple needs without gutting their draft capital or salary cap space. That’s precisely how championship teams operate during the season.