Eagles Eyeing Dolphins’ Pass Rusher in 2025 Trade Deadline?
The NFL trade deadline is that magical time of year when hope springs eternal, rumors fly faster than a Tyreek Hill go-route, and every fanbase convinces itself it’s just one player away from glory. For Philadelphia Eagles fans, that player might just be Dolphins’ edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Whispers have turned into full-throated reports that Howie Roseman, a man who has never met a trade he didn’t like, is kicking the tires on the former first-round pick. And why wouldn’t he be? The Eagles’ pass rush, once the stuff of nightmares for opposing quarterbacks, has looked more like a pleasant dream lately. But as with any juicy rumor, the question isn’t just “what if,” but “at what cost?” Let’s cut through the noise and figure out what’s really going on.
Why Are the Eagles Suddenly Desperate for a Pass Rusher?
Remember last season? The Eagles‘ defensive line was a wrecking crew, a legitimate force of nature that steamrolled its way to a Super Bowl. This year? Not so much. Injuries have hit the unit hard, and Za’Darius Smith’s abrupt retirement last month left a gaping hole. Sure, luring the legendary Brandon Graham out of retirement for one more ride is a great story for the local news, but let’s be real—he’s a situational player at this point in his decorated career.
The current defensive front just doesn’t have the same bite. They need a spark, another weapon to terrorize quarterbacks and take some of the pressure off the secondary. Howie Roseman knows this. Vic Fangio, the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, definitely knows this. In fact, Fangio’s previous stint with the Dolphins gives him a front-row seat to Phillips’s talent, and reports suggest he’s a big fan. This isn’t just a fantasy football trade; it’s a calculated move to patch a hole before it sinks the whole ship.
What’s the Deal with Jaelan Phillips?
So, who is this guy the Eagles are supposedly so hot for? Jaelan Phillips is the classic high-risk, high-reward player. A first-round pick (No. 18 overall in 2021), he has all the physical tools you could want in a modern edge rusher. He’s explosive, athletic, and when he’s healthy, he’s a genuine problem for offensive lines. The keyword there is “healthy.” His career has been a bit of a start-and-stop affair due to injuries, which is precisely why a team like the Dolphins might even consider picking up the phone.
He’s currently playing on his rookie contract, but the Dolphins already exercised his fifth-year option, locking him in for 2025. That means any team trading for him gets a talented player for two seasons, not just a rental. But it also means the asking price is going to be steep. The Dolphins aren’t just giving him away.
Is This Trade Actually Realistic?
Let’s pump the brakes for a second. While the Eagles are interested, so are half the other contenders in the league, including the 49ers and Patriots, according to reports. This is a seller’s market, and the Dolphins hold a valuable asset. They’re not a good football team right now, so stockpiling draft picks for a rebuild makes sense. But they won’t part with a cornerstone pass rusher for a bag of footballs and a cheesesteak.
The Eagles would likely have to part with significant draft capital—think a high-round pick, maybe more. Roseman is known for his aggressive, “all-in” style, but is this the move he wants to make? There’s also the Jets’ Jermaine Johnson, another talented but injury-prone pass rusher the Eagles have reportedly inquired about. It feels like Philly is casting a wide net, looking for the best deal they can find. Trading for Phillips is plausible, but it’s far from a slam dunk. It all comes down to “the right price,” and right now, that price is probably sky-high.
