The Jets have a new linchpin on the defensive line.
The Green & White acquired eighth-year player Harrison Phillips from the Minnesota Vikings last week, and though the veteran was initially surprised when he received the news, it didn't take long for him to recognize the unique opportunity on the horizon with the Jets.
"The arrow is pointing up here," Phillips told reporters Monday. "I'm just really hopeful that I can come in and make sure that the arrow continues to point up and do whatever I can to play that part as well."
Throughout his seven years in the league, Phillips, 29, has consistently played his part -- and played it well. The 6-3, 307-pound D-lineman started all 51 regular-season contests with Minnesota from 2022-24, and he also started a wild-card game against the Rams last season. Phillips had the most productive seasons of his career with the Vikings, recording career highs in tackles (92) and sacks (3) in 2023, and career highs in pass defenses (4) and forced fumbles (1) in 2024.
Originally selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Phillips is well acquainted with the Jets, an AFC East rival. Phillips faced the Green & White five times across four seasons -- and during that time, he developed an understanding of the Green & White's fan base and culture.
"I've just known how much this city wants to win," he said. "I've known that for a long time. … You can just feel the optimism amongst the players, the staff, the new wave of people that are coming in here. I'm just really excited. Initial shock, and then once I kind of deciphered and peeled back the layers of the onion, I was like, 'this is going to be a great opportunity.' "
That opportunity will be bolstered by years of valuable NFL experience that Phillips now brings to his third NFL team. But for HC Aaron Glenn, the addition of the veteran means more than just a boost in on-field production.
"First off, he's one of us," Glenn said. "His mentality, the character -- and I'm talking about on and off the field. He's a damn good run stopper. I remember going against him all those years I was in Detroit. Actually, when he was a free agent, he was a guy we tried to target for us to get ready to sign, but obviously he ended signing up back with Minnesota. But everything about him fits who we are, so I'm happy that we got him."