The $80 Million Payday: Why Jaelan Phillips is the Eagles’ New Defensive Priority
In the high-stakes world of NFL roster construction, few names carry as much weight as Howie Roseman. Known for his aggressive “win-now” maneuvers and creative cap management, the Philadelphia Eagles’ General Manager may have pulled off his most significant heist yet at the 2025 trade deadline.
Now, a new prediction from Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has Philadelphia buzzing: a projected three-year, $80 million contract extension for star edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
For a fan base that has watched the defense transform from a liability into a “nearly impenetrable” force since his arrival, this news is absolute music to their ears. But in a league governed by a hard salary cap, $80 million is a massive investment. Here is why the Eagles are likely to pull the trigger and what it means for the future of the franchise.
The Impact: From Trade Deadline Steal to Defensive Cornerstone
When the Eagles acquired Phillips from the Miami Dolphins mid-season, the defensive front was searching for an identity. Reuniting with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio—who coached him in Miami—Phillips didn’t just fit in; he took over.
In just eight games with the Birds, Phillips has put up elite numbers:
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28 Total Tackles
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17 Quarterback Pressures
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4 Passes Defended
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1 Forced Fumble
His presence has unlocked the rest of the defensive line. With Phillips demanding double-teams on the edge, interior rushers like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis have seen fewer “chips” and more clean paths to the quarterback. The result? A defense that has propelled Philadelphia to an 11-5 record and a dominant NFC East title.
Breaking Down the $80 Million Prediction
The projected deal—averaging roughly $26.6 million per year—would place Phillips among the highest-paid defensive players in the league. While some analysts argue the price is steep for a player with a history of lower-leg injuries, the market for premium pass rushers is skyrocketing.
| Metric | Details |
| Total Value | $80,000,000 |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Average Annual Value (AAV) | $26.6 Million |
| Age at Signing | 26 |
By keeping the deal to three years, Roseman retains flexibility. It allows the Eagles to capture Phillips’ “prime” years while the team’s Super Bowl window is wide open, without tethering the franchise to a decade-long commitment.
The Risk: Weighing Talent Against Durability
Philly fans are no strangers to the “injury bug,” and Phillips carries a medical file that requires caution. Having suffered both a torn Achilles (2023) and a torn ACL (2024) in back-to-back years, any long-term deal is a gamble.
However, his performance in 2025 has quelled most of those fears. He has shown no loss of “bend” around the edge and his explosive first step remains his greatest weapon. For the Eagles, the risk of losing him to free agency—where teams like the Cardinals or Commanders would gladly overpay—is far greater than the risk of his health.
The “Howie Roseman” Salary Cap Magic
How can the Eagles afford an $80 million extension with only a projected $22 million in cap space?
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The Void Year Strategy: Roseman is the league leader in using “dummy years” to spread out signing bonuses.
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Backloading: Much like Jalen Hurts’ contract, Phillips’ deal will likely feature a low cap hit in 2026 (potentially as low as $8–10 million) with the “heavy lifting” pushed to 2027 and 2028 when the NFL salary cap is expected to exceed $310 million.
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Restructures: Extensions for players like A.J. Brown or Jordan Mailata can easily clear the necessary room for a Phillips payday.
The Bottom Line
Retaining Jaelan Phillips isn’t just about statistics; it’s about culture. He represents the “New Age” of the Eagles’ defense—young, aggressive, and versatile. If the prediction holds true, the Eagles will enter the 2026 season with one of the most feared defensive units in professional football.
For the Lincoln Financial Field faithful, hearing “Jaelan Phillips” announced over the PA system for the next three years is exactly the kind of harmony they’ve been waiting for.
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