It’s not every day that a team captain gets traded so close to the start of the NFL season. Yet, that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday night when the Minnesota Vikings traded defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets.
Minnesota named Phillips, 29, a team captain last season just days before agreeing to a two-year extension with the defensive tackle. Less than one year after extending Phillips, the Vikings sent him to the Jets in exchange for draft capital.
The Vikings sent Phillips and a 2027 7th-round pick to the Jets in exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick and a 2027 6th-round pick. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Minnesota agreed to pay $3.7 million of Harrison Phillips’ $7.4 million salary this season.
It’s believed that the Vikings may have moved on from Phillips in an attempt to free up some cap space to acquire a wide receiver via trade. The Vikings are looking for help opposite Justin Jefferson, with Jordan Addison dealing with a suspension to start the season and other options on the roster dealing with injuries.
The Jets, meanwhile, are looking to bolster their defensive line. In addition to acquiring Phillips, the Jets also traded for defensive tackle Jowon Briggs in a deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Phillips now returns to the AFC East, where he played from 2018 to 2021 as a member of the Buffalo Bills. During his stint in Buffalo, Phillips became a fan favorite for his effort on the field and his work within the community. The defensive tackle was nominated in back-to-back seasons as Buffalo’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
Much of Phillips’ charitable work came through his Harrison’s Playmakers Organization. The organization supports children who are developmentally or physically different, per the Bills’ website. Phillips was at the forefront of multiple events during his tenure with the Bills.
Even after leaving Buffalo, Phillips continued to work with the Western New York community through his organization.
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