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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 11: Jalen Carter #98 and Jaelan Phillips #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarterin the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles appear focused on keeping their defensive core intact as free agency approaches. A new round of insider reporting suggests that priority begins with Jaelan Phillips.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Eagles will attempt to re-sign Phillips after he proved to be an ideal fit within Vic Fangio’s defense. Fowler added that Philadelphia could also explore extensions for defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter.
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From @DanGrazianoESPN
“The Eagles will attempt to resign Jaelan Phillips, who proved an ideal fit for the defense. They could also extend the contracts of defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter.”
I think they view Phillips as a priority free agent. Extending Davis and
Instead of making a splash in free agency, the Eagles may focus on retaining their own core players.
That approach aligns with what general manager Howie Roseman emphasized at the NFL Combine about retaining impact players.
It also underscores how highly the organization values Phillips after his strong showing down the stretch. If the Eagles can finalize something before the open market begins, they would avoid competing with other teams and keep a defensive front together that showed flashes of dominance late last season.
Insider Points to Eagles’ In-House Priorities
Fowler’s report framed the Eagles’ strategy around internal investments. “The Eagles could look in-house for free agent splashes,” Fowler wrote. “They will attempt to re-sign Jaelan Phillips, who proved an ideal fit for the defense. They could also extend the contracts of defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter.”
That is significant. Extending Davis and Carter would not only secure two foundational pieces but could also create short-term cap flexibility, potentially making a Phillips deal easier to structure.
Carter has quickly developed into one of the league’s most disruptive interior defenders, while Davis remains a key anchor against the run. Locking them up early would send a message about the franchise’s long-term stability in the trenches.
Calling Phillips someone the Eagles will attempt to re-sign makes it clear he is a priority in the coming weeks, especially after many around the league assumed he would test the open market. Under Howie Roseman, this team has consistently invested in the defensive line, and this situation is no different.
Jaelan Phillips Open to Staying With Eagles
Phillips himself has not shut the door on a return. Speaking about his upcoming free agency, he acknowledged the uncertainty but made it clear that Philadelphia checks important boxes.
“It’s my first experience with it so I’m not really sure how it plays out,” Phillips said. “But we’ll see. Obviously, I’ve got a family now and a kid on the way and sort of think about that. But also I want to be on a competitive team and part of an environment where I love the guys I’m around and love the organization I’m playing for. I feel that here. So, we’ll see.”
That statement is encouraging for the Eagles.
He clearly values culture and the chance to compete, two things the Eagles can offer. The bigger issue is timing. If a deal is not done before free agency opens, Phillips is going to be one of the top edge rushers available, and teams around the league will be lining up.
For weeks, there was real uncertainty about how this situation would play out.
The latest report suggests the Eagles are trying to take control by handling their biggest business internally before the market forces their hand. That could mean not only working to re-sign Phillips, but also extending Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis on major deals that would lock up the core of their defensive front for years to come.