A one-time first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Jaelan Phillips was moved last year near the trade deadline to the Philadelphia Eagles. Leading up to the 2026 season, Phillips and the Carolina Panthers have come to terms on a four-year, $120 million contract.
Jaelan Phillips, Carolina Panthers, Agree to Contract
Phillips broke out in his final season of college football. With the Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Phillips put up 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks over 10 games amidst the chaos that was the 2020 COVID-19 season. As a result, he was the 18th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft for the Dolphins.
As a rookie, Phillips made five starts and appeared in 12 other games for a total of 603 defensive snaps (54% of the team total). In those 17 games, Phillips totalled 42 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery. The following season, Phillips started 15 games and appeared in the other two, good for a career-high 840 snaps (73%). He amassed 61 tackles, eight tackles for loss, seven sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Then, Phillips started battling injuries. In 2023, he made six starts and appeared in two others. In those eight games, he added 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, and two pass breakups. Then, he tore his Achilles’ tendon, ending his season.
It didn’t get much better in 2024. While he was able to start right away in Week 1, he only lasted four weeks before an ACL tear on a case of friendly fire. In those four games, Phillips was only able to contribute six tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups.
Last year, Phillips was getting back to form. He started the first nine games for the Dolphins and totaled 25 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, and a fumble recovery. Then, at the deadline, he was traded to the Eagles for a 2026 third-round pick. He made eight starts with the Eagles, totaling 28 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
