By Saad Yousuf, Dianna Russini and Zach Berman
The Miami Dolphins have traded linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick, according to league sources. The pick is the Eagles’ original third rounder, not the one the team acquired in the Haason Reddick deal, according to a league source.
Phillips was drafted No. 18 by the Dolphins in the 2021 NFL Draft. He became an instant contributor, playing in all 17 games while tallying a career-high 8.5 sacks and 42 tackles, including nine tackles for loss. He continued to build on a strong rookie season in 2022 by becoming a mainstay on the Miami defense, starting 15 games and adding another seven sacks.
Jaelan Phillips was one of the hottest names on the trade block. Teams, including the 49ers and Patriots, inquired about a potential deal with the Dolphins.
Ultimately, the Eagles seal a deal for the 26-year-old pass rusher, who becomes a free agent after the season. pic.twitter.com/l4OMNqfgpa
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 3, 2025
In 2023, Phillips played eight games and was well on his way to a career-best season, racking up 6.5 sacks, but his campaign was cut short by a torn Achilles. He returned for the 2024 season but his fourth year lasted just one month, as Phillips suffered a season-ending knee injury after playing in just four games.
Despite the Achilles tear in 2023, the Dolphins picked up the fifth-year option on Phillips to keep him under contract on his rookie deal through the 2025 season. As has been the case for many associated with the Dolphins this season, 2025 hasn’t featured many high notes for Phillips. He has three sacks through nine games but the state of the organization — which has included a lot of losing and internal turmoil — could be considered a contributing factor.
The Eagles needed top-of-the-depth chart help at pass rusher, and they’re hoping they found that with Phillips, who when healthy, is a disruptive, in-his-prime player who thrived in this scheme under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in 2023. That exposure to Fangio is critical in this deal and the in-season acclimation process.
After losing Josh Sweat in free agency and trading Bryce Huff this offseason, the Eagles have been a work-in-progress at edge rusher. They even lured Brandon Graham out of retirement to help the group. They only have 4.5 sacks in eight games from edge rushers — and the most among them came from Za’Darius Smith, who is no longer on the roster. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt were the top returning edge rushers from the Super Bowl defense. Smith has been sidelined since Week 3. He’s expected back this month, which will be another boost to the top of the depth chart. The Eagles also have Josh Uche and Patrick Johnson, to go along with Hunt and Graham. They placed Azeez Ojulari on injured reserve on Saturday.
Phillips, who will turn 27 years old in May, will be in line for a contract extension this offseason. His injury history could bring the price down relative to the promise he showed in the first few years of his NFL career, making him not only an added boost for the Eagles this season but potentially a part of their defense moving forward.
If Phillips signs elsewhere after the season, he will count toward the compensatory pick formula that could potentially net the Eagles a draft pick in 2027. He would also seem to be a candidate to stay in Philadelphia, considering his age profile and the long-term need at the position. General manager Howie Roseman has shown a willingness to acquire rentals at the deadline in the past, including Golden Tate in 2018 and Robert Quinn in 2022.
For now, the focus is on trying to return to the Super Bowl. The Eagles’ pass rush was one of the remaining question marks for a team atop the NFC. If Phillips can help solve that problem, the Eagles’ chance of a repeat improved on Monday morning.
For Miami, the trade comes less than one week after the franchise and former general manager Chris Grier agreed to part ways. Senior personnel executive Champ Kelly is serving as the team’s interim GM.
