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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 23: Jaelan Phillips #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles anticipates a play during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles could soon find themselves facing a major problem during free agency.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, one of Philadelphia’s top defensive free agents is already drawing interest from the Dallas Cowboys as the league approaches the start of the legal tampering window.
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That player is veteran pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Phillips spent the second half of the 2025 season with the Eagles and is now set to hit free agency if a new deal isn’t reached before the market opens.
“Dallas must now pivot to free agency to land its pass rusher,” Fowler reported. “It has monitored Trey Hendrickson dating back to the trade deadline. He’s now a free agent. Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh and Boye Mafe will be firmly on Dallas’ radar in the coming days.”
The development comes after the Cowboys missed out on a blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby. Crosby was ultimately dealt to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.
With Crosby no longer an option, Dallas now appears ready to explore multiple alternatives on the open market.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, one of those alternatives is one of the Eagles’ top free agent priorities.
Eagles Working to Keep Jaelan Phillips in Philadelphia
Philadelphia acquired Phillips during the 2025 season in an effort to strengthen its pass rush. The move paid immediate dividends as the veteran edge defender brought experience and explosiveness to the Eagles’ defensive front during the second half of the year.
Now the organization faces a critical decision as free agency approaches.
According to Fowler, the Eagles are actively attempting to keep Phillips in Philadelphia before the market officially opens.
“People inside the league believe Philly is attempting to re-sign Phillips to a deal that would pay him well above $20 million per year,” Fowler reported.
That type of contract reflects just how valuable the Eagles view him within Vic Fangio’s defensive system.
Pass rushers capable of consistently affecting quarterbacks are among the most coveted players in the NFL, and Philadelphia understands the risk of letting one walk away, especially to a divisional rival.
However, once free agency opens, other teams could quickly drive up his price.
Cowboys Emerging as Potential Threat to Eagles
Dallas suddenly represents one of the biggest potential complications for Philadelphia.
After failing to land Crosby, the Cowboys now appear determined to add pass-rushing help through free agency. Fowler’s report indicates Phillips is one of several names Dallas is monitoring closely as it searches for a game-changer along the defensive line.
The possibility of Phillips leaving Philadelphia for a division rival would create a significant ripple effect across the NFC East. Dallas struggled to generate consistent pressure last season and finished near the bottom of the league in sacks. Adding a proven edge presence could immediately change the dynamic of the Cowboys defense.
For the Eagles, the situation creates added urgency.
According to NFL Network’s Greg Rosenthal, Phillips ranks as the No. 2 free agent on the entire market.
That ranking only adds to the urgency for Philadelphia to get a deal done quickly.
Bringing Phillips back could end up being one of the defining moves of the offseason for Howie Roseman and the Eagles.