Jaelan Phillips at $15 Million Per Year Would Be 'No-Brainer' for Eagles, Says NFL Reporter

The Philadelphia Eagles should jump at the chance to re-sign Jaelan Phillips if early contract projections prove accurate, according to NFL reporter Jeff Kerr.

During his appearance on Birds 365, Kerr expressed strong support for retaining the pass rusher, even calling certain projected contract terms a "no-brainer" for the organization.

Top-10 Free Agent Value

Kerr didn't mince words about Phillips' standing in the 2025 free agent class. "I see a top 10 free agent in this class," he stated, later adding that Phillips "might be the best one" among available pass rushers.

This assessment aligns with ESPN's rankings, which placed Phillips as the fifth-best available free agent. For a player of that caliber to potentially be available at bargain rates represents a rare opportunity in today's inflated market.

The Contract Projections

"I saw one year for 15 million. I'm like, well that's a no brainer," Kerr said, referencing early contract projections for Phillips.

With the NFL salary cap jumping to approximately $303.45 million—an increase of nearly $25 million from the previous year—Phillips at $15 million annually represents exceptional value for a premier pass rusher.

Kerr and the Birds 365 hosts agreed that $15 million "isn't even a decision for Howie Roseman," especially given the Eagles' need for pass rush production.

Injury Concerns Don't Deter

Phillips' injury history—including Achilles and knee issues—has clearly impacted market projections. However, Kerr believes the potential reward outweighs the risk.

"Somebody must have some medical information that I don't have," Kerr noted regarding the surprisingly low projections, suggesting teams might be overreacting to Phillips' injury concerns.

The defensive end's impact when healthy cannot be questioned. Kerr observed that "that defense elevated when they got him," referring to Phillips' contributions during his time with Philadelphia.

Market Dynamics at Play

Several factors contribute to Phillips potentially being undervalued in free agency. Beyond injury concerns, the pass rusher market lacks depth, with Trey Hendrickson representing the only other significant option—though he's 32 years old.

This scarcity should theoretically drive up prices, making Phillips' projected value even more attractive for the Eagles.

"Jaelan Phillips is getting one year for 15. That's the only edge rusher on the market at a decent age," Kerr pointed out, emphasizing the supply-and-demand imbalance.

Comparison to Market Rates

To put Phillips' projected contract in perspective, Josh Sweat recently received approximately $18 million annually. When asked if Sweat was better than Phillips, opinions varied among the panel.

"I would say he is," one host offered regarding Sweat's superiority, while Kerr disagreed: "I don't think he is, but certainly not today."

This debate highlights how Phillips at $15 million could represent significant value compared to other recent pass rusher contracts.

The Walk-Away Number

The discussion revealed interesting perspectives on Phillips' maximum value. While early projections suggested $15 million, other outlets had him closer to $17-20 million annually.

Kerr seemed comfortable with numbers in the higher range, understanding Phillips' impact when healthy and the premium placed on pass rush production in today's NFL.

Salary Cap Context

The massive jump in salary cap space provides crucial context for Phillips' contract negotiations. An increase of $25 million gives teams like Philadelphia significant flexibility to retain key players.

"This league is booming, guys. It is booming right now," Kerr observed, noting how television revenues continue driving cap increases despite concerns about product quality.

Strategic Importance

For the Eagles, retaining Phillips serves multiple purposes beyond on-field production. It maintains continuity in Vic Fangio's defense and prevents a key player from joining a division rival or playoff competitor.

Given Phillips' familiarity with the system and proven chemistry with teammates like Brandon Graham and Nolan Smith, his retention makes strategic sense beyond pure production metrics.

As discussed on Birds 365, the Eagles' pass rush depth becomes crucial if they hope to maintain defensive excellence, particularly with questions surrounding the coaching staff's future.

Bottom Line

Kerr's enthusiasm for Phillips at projected rates reflects both the player's talent and the market's apparent undervaluation. For an Eagles team looking to maximize their championship window, securing a top-tier pass rusher at below-market rates represents exactly the type of move successful organizations make.

With free agency approaching, Eagles fans should hope Kerr's projections prove accurate. Phillips at $15 million per year would indeed be the no-brainer Kerr described.

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