Jaelan Phillips Free Agency: Why the Eagles Must Be Aggressive

The Spotrac Numbers Are a Fantasy

Let's get this out of the way immediately: Spotrac's market valuation of Jaelan Phillips at $17.3 million annually is laughably wrong. And their one-year, $6 million projection for his market value? That's not just wrong — it's disconnected from reality.

ESPN ranked Phillips as the third-best free agent on the entire market. PFF named the Washington Commanders as his top landing spot. There are projections floating around of five years, $100 million. Some analysts see his total deal reaching as high as $80 million. This is not a $17 million player in a league where the salary cap just jumped from $279 million to over $305 million.

Context Matters More Than Algorithms

Here's what the market value calculators miss: context. Phillips was acquired from Miami at the trade deadline for a 2026 third-round pick, and he immediately proved to be both a schematic fit and a locker room asset under Vic Fangio. He's 26 years old. He's versatile — he can set the edge, rush the passer, move inside, and contribute in multiple phases.

The free agent edge rusher market behind Phillips is barren. There's a massive dropoff after him. When supply is limited and demand is high — and every team in the NFL needs pass rushers — prices go up. That's basic economics, and it's something the algorithmic projections consistently fail to account for.

As a pure pass rusher, there are arguments that Phillips isn't in the Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons tier. Fair enough. But as an all-around defensive end who can do everything asked of him in Fangio's system? Phillips is the guy. He's better than Max Crosby in the all-around game. He's younger. He's proven he fits in Philadelphia.

The Eagles' Offseason Hinges on This

The Phillips decision isn't just about one player — it's the domino that tips everything else. If Philadelphia signs Phillips, the defense retains its identity. The young ascending talent — Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Nolan Smith, Zack Baun — has a proven edge presence alongside them.

If Phillips walks? Then the Eagles are "big game hunting," as the speculation goes. Maybe that means pursuing Myles Garrett or Max Crosby via trade. Maybe it means a volatile offseason with out-of-the-box moves. Either way, it introduces unnecessary risk and uncertainty.

The Eagles learned from the first half of last season what happens when you don't have a legitimate edge rusher. The defense was exposed until Phillips arrived. Going back to that vulnerability would be organizational malpractice.

What's the Right Number?

Realistically, Phillips is looking at something in the range of $20-22 million annually on a multi-year deal. That's where the market is for premier edge defenders in 2026, especially with the cap explosion. The Eagles need to be prepared to pay that — or at minimum, use the franchise tag as leverage to get a long-term deal done.

The franchise tag window opens soon. Free agency starts March 11. The clock is ticking.

Some projections have Phillips testing the open market, and the Commanders would love nothing more than to poach Philadelphia's best defensive free agent. The NFC East rivalry angle alone should make the Eagles' front office sick to its stomach.

Be Aggressive, Howie

This is not a maintenance offseason moment. This is not a "let the market set itself" situation. Jaelan Phillips is the type of player you identify, prioritize, and lock up before he ever sniffs the open market.

The Eagles went to the Super Bowl with Phillips anchoring the edge. They can't afford to watch him do that for Washington, Dallas, or anyone else.

Pay the man. Get it done before March 11. Everything else in this offseason flows from that decision.