After making two trades to bolster the CB position, the Philadelphia Eagles finally addressed their pass rush, which has been a huge topic of conversation throughout the first half of the regular season.
On Monday morning, the Eagles picked up one of the top pass-rushing targets ahead of the trade deadline in fifth-year outside linebacker Jaelen Phillips from the Miami Dolphins. Phillips, who is in the last year of his deal, instantly upgrades a pass rush that desperately needed more firepower off the edge for the second half of the regular season.
In the days leading up to the trade, there was a lot of smoke connecting the Eagles and Phillips, which only intensified after the Dolphins cut ties with GM Chris Grier. The newest Eagle landed in Philadelphia on Monday evening and is excited about this new opportunity.
Phillips told John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia after he arrived at Philadelphia International Airport that he had no idea the trade was going to happen. The young pass rusher also said that he loves Vic Fangio when asked about being reunited with the long-time NFL defensive coordinator.
Jaelen Phillips Already Making a Good First Impression with Eagles Fans
If you’re an Eagles fan, you love to see and hear Phillips being excited about joining the team and playing for a coach with whom he had previous success. He also knows that he has to work hard to earn the respect of everyone and is willing to do whatever it takes.
“I’m gonna work my ass off. I’m going to come in and be a humble worker. Earn the guys respect. Earn the fans respect. I want to fly around and make plays. Literally fly around! Go Birds,” Phillips said to Clark.
As we alluded to, Phillips is already familiar with the defensive scheme, having been coached by Fangio in 2023, which was on track to be one of his best years as a pro before he, unfortunately, suffered a torn Achilles.
In eight games during that season, the 6-foot-5 edge rusher racked up 17 QB pressures, 11 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
Fast forward to this season, and Phillips has been able to stay healthy, making nine starts in Miami. The 26-year-old pass rusher has already tallied 18 QB pressures, seven quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, and three sacks. If you took his three sacks and added them to the Eagles, he would be tied for second with Zack Baun and Jordan Davis.
Fans cannot wait to see what Phillips does and hope to see him on the field on Monday night when the Eagles hit the road to play the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football.