Jaelan Phillips
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ESPN's Dan Graziano predicted the Washington Commanders to sign edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Washington Commanders could use a veteran edge rusher or two for their 2026 roster. They might not have to look very far to find one. An elite option is set to come available from the Philadelphia Eagles — Jaelan Phillips.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicted the Eagles edge rusher to sign with the Commanders next week in NFL free agency. Graziano projected Phillips to land a 4-year, $92 million contract.
Graziano’s projection included $32 million guaranteed.
“Phillips comes with that injury history, but he played well for the Eagles after being traded to Philadelphia from Miami at the deadline — and they have at least some interest in trying to keep him,” wrote Graziano.
“Two of his five sacks last season came in Philly. He’s a young free agent (still just 26), and that helps mitigate the injury risk a little.
“It’s possible he does a one-year prove-it deal somewhere if his market doesn’t do what he hopes it does. And it’s also possible a division rival snatches him away.”
Phillips registered five sacks with seven tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits splitting his 2025 campaign with the Eagles and Miami Dolphins. Philadelphia acquired the edge rusher from Miami for a third-round pick at the NFL trade deadline in November.
Why the Commanders Should Pursue Edge Rusher Jaelan Phillips
The Commanders finished the 2025 regular season with 42 sacks. That was a respectable number, as it tied Washington for 12th in the category.
But the Commanders top defender in sacks during 2025 was Von Miller, who turns 37 on March 26. 30-year-old Jacob Martin was second on the team with 5.5 sacks while veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner was just behind him with 4.5 sacks.
All three of those defenders are unrestricted free agents this offseason.
The Commanders need a younger upgrade along the edge. Phillips can be that in Washington.
Phillips will turn 27 years old in May. He’s registered at least five sacks in all but one of his NFL campaigns, and in that season, he only played in four games.
Will Phillips’s Injury Past Impact His 2026 Free Agency
There are some differing opinions on the market value for the Eagles edge rusher. Even Graziano suggested he might need to take a 1-year prove it deal.
The reason for the discrepancy with his value is his injury history. Phillips missed 23 games from 2023-24 because of Achilles and knee issues.
Graziano, though, sees Phillips youth as a significant plus. He also played all 17 games for the Dolphins and Eagles in 2025.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper doesn’t see the injuries from a couple years ago impacting Phillips. Popper predicted Phillips’s worth to be a 4-year, $98 million deal, giving him an average annual salary of $24.5 million.
Although Spotrac had a lower projection, that website placed the edge rusher’s worth at $52.02 million on a 3-year deal.
Not that the Commanders should want to overpay for Phillips. But the more expensive he is, the more likely he is going to leave Philadelphia.
As of March 7, the Eagles possess $13.7 million in cap space. ESPN’s Tim McManus predicted Philadelphia to try one last push to keep Phillips.
However, the Commanders have significantly more cap space, with $83.3 million to spend.
According to Spotrac, only three other teams in the league have more cap space than Washington entering 2026 NFL free agency.