The Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 9 sitting at the top of the NFC East standings with a record of 6-2. Despite that being the case, the defending Super Bowl champions are far from a juggernaut at the midway point of the 2025 campaign.
In fact, there are holes on this roster that could and should be addressed in the coming days as the Nov. 4 trade deadline looms large. While Howie Roseman has undoubtedly been working the phones already, Friday's news from ESPN's Adam Schefter that Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier and the franchise had "mutually agreed to part ways" should only have the Eagles' GM going into overdrive, as mid-season front office firings typically lead to fire sales.
Several players on Miami's roster could pique the interest of Roseman and the rest of Philadelphia's front office brain trust. One player in particular, though, feels like a natural fit and shouldn't cost very much to acquire. That player is veteran pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Eagles Must Pounce on Jaelene Phillips Trade After Dolphins Part Ways With GM
At this point in the trade rumor cycle, Phillips is a name that Eagles fans should have heard by now. Given that the Dolphins defender is an edge rusher on an expiring deal, he could offer assistance to what has been a porous pass rush in Philadelphia thus far. Through eight games, the Eagles have 16 total sacks as a team.
As bad as that sounds, things only look worse when you examine the pressure they are getting from the front three alone. Between Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and the recently retired Za'Darius Smith, Philadelphia has 9.5 total sacks from its defensive linemen.
A player who accounted for 1.5 of those sacks, Smith, decided to hang up his pads for good just over three weeks ago. This places the Eagles in a tough spot where they're left hoping Brandon Graham can pick up some of the slack now that he has ended his retirement to rejoin the franchise.
Would adding Phillips to the fold erase all of those question marks surrounding this defensive front? No, it certainly wouldn't. He is on the trade block for a reason.
However, if Phillips can regain the form he showed over the first three years of his NFL career, where he racked up 22 total sacks over 42 games, then making a move to add him via trade before the deadline would be worth it for Philadelphia.
Only time will tell what happens between now and Nov. 4, but Eagles fans should expect to continue hearing news regarding the franchise being active in trade talks. There certainly appears to be a target ready and waiting for them in Miami should Roseman agree that Phillips would be a worthwhile addition.