Eagles Finally Get Their 2025 Elite Pass Rush Fix in Former Dolphin Phillips

Well, look who decided to show up at the party. The Philadelphia Eagles, after watching their pass rush collect dust like last season’s playoff hopes, finally made a move that doesn’t involve crossing their fingers and praying. Howie Roseman pulled the trigger on a trade for Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, sending a 2026 third-round pick south to Florida. And honestly? It’s about damn time.

Let’s be real here, the Eagles’ pass rush has been about as intimidating as a wet paper towel this season. With Za’Darius Smith pulling a Houdini act and retiring faster than you can say “I’m too old for this,” Philadelphia desperately needed someone who could actually get to the quarterback before he finished reading War and Peace in the pocket.

Why the Eagles Desperately Needed This Move

The numbers don’t lie, even when we wish they would. Philly entered this trade with their edge rushers combining for a whopping 4.5 sacks this season. To put that in perspective, Aaron Donald probably gets that many in his sleep. Jalyx Hunt leads the team with 30 pressures, which sounds impressive until you realize no other player has more than 19. That’s not depth, that’s a talent drought.

When your best pass rusher is a sophomore who sounds like he should be hosting a nature documentary, you know you’ve got problems. The Eagles‘ inability to generate consistent pressure has been more obvious than a Cowboys fan at an Eagles tailgate, and it was only a matter of time before Roseman did something about it.

What Jaelan Phillips Brings to Philadelphia

Phillips isn’t just another body; he’s a legitimate talent who’s been dealt a rough hand with injuries. The 26-year-old former first-round pick has 26 career sacks in five seasons, which would be even more impressive if his body didn’t have the durability of a smartphone screen. He missed significant time in 2023 with an Achilles tear and battled knee issues in 2024, but when healthy, the guy can actually play.

This season, he has been Miami’s most consistent pass rusher with 29 pressures and 3 sacks, all coming in his last five games. Those aren’t MVP numbers, but they’re a hell of a lot better than what the Eagles have been working with. Plus, he’s already familiar with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system from their time together in Miami, which means less time learning the playbook and more time learning where opposing quarterbacks keep their lunch money.

The Financial Reality of This Deal

Here’s where it gets interesting from a business perspective. The former Dolphin is in the final year of his rookie deal, making him a rental player unless the Eagles decide to open their checkbook in March. Miami is even paying part of his remaining salary to sweeten the deal, which is basically the NFL equivalent of “please take our slightly damaged goods.”

Philadelphia traded its own 2026 third-round pick rather than the one they acquired from the Jets, which is smart business since their pick will likely be later in the round (you know, because it actually plans on being good). It’s not exactly highway robbery, but it’s a reasonable price for a player who could provide the pass rush boost they desperately need.

How This Changes the Eagles’ Defense

With Phillips now in the fold, Philly suddenly has something resembling depth at edge rusher. When Brandon Graham returns from his brief retirement tour and Nolan Smith comes back from injured reserve, Philadelphia will have Hunt, Phillips, Smith, Graham, Josh Uche, and Patrick Johnson all available. That’s a far cry from the “please someone get to the quarterback” situation they’ve been dealing with.

The real question is how defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will deploy all this newfound talent. Phillips and Hunt could form a formidable duo, especially if he can stay healthy for more than five minutes at a time. Having actual options at edge rusher means Fangio doesn’t have to pray that Hunt can single-handedly terrorize opposing offensive lines.

The Bigger Picture for Philadelphia’s Season

This trade represents more than just adding a pass rusher; it’s Roseman acknowledging that this team has legitimate playoff aspirations and needs to act like it. The Eagles have been busy little bees lately, also acquiring cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander in recent days. They’re clearly in win-now mode, which makes sense considering their roster construction and the competitive NFC landscape.

Phillips gives them a legitimate chance to improve their pass rush immediately, especially against a schedule that includes some high-powered offenses down the stretch. If he can stay healthy (and that’s a big if), this could be the move that helps push Philadelphia back into serious contention.

The Risk vs. Reward Calculation

Let’s not sugarcoat this: trading for an injury-prone player is always a gamble. Phillips has missed significant time in recent seasons, and there’s no guarantee his body will hold up over a full playoff push. But the Eagles were staring at a pass rush that couldn’t intimidate a high school offensive line, so the risk was worth taking.

The worst-case scenario is that Phillips gets hurt again and the Eagles are out a third-round pick. The best case? They get a productive pass rusher who helps them make a deep playoff run and potentially re-signs for the future. Given their current situation, those odds are pretty appetizing.

This trade shows that Roseman isn’t content to let this season slip away due to roster deficiencies. Whether it pays off remains to be seen, but at least Eagles fans can stop wondering when their team will address the most glaring hole on their roster. Now they just have to hope Phillips can stay on the field long enough to make it matter.