Philadelphia, PA. In a move that sent shockwaves across the NFL just hours before the highly-anticipated showdown with the Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles have officially extended rising defensive star Jaelan Phillips

— only weeks after acquiring him from the Miami Dolphins for a 2026 third-round pick. Few expected such a massive contract this quickly, but Phillips left the Eagles with no choice.

From the moment he arrived in Philadelphia, Phillips became the brightest spark in Vic Fangio’s defense. And in his first two games, he delivered a level of impact that instantly transformed the entire unit. In just two appearances, Phillips recorded:

• 11 tackles

• 5 QB pressures

• 4 QB hits

• 2 tackles for loss

• 1 sack

• 1 fumble recovery

In just 120 minutes of football, he reignited a pass rush that had collapsed after the departures of Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff, and Milton Williams. His combination of speed, length, and interior-exterior versatility brought back the explosiveness Eagles fans had been missing all season.

THE CONTRACT DETAILS

The Eagles have signed Phillips to a 4-year, $100 million extension, including $65 million guaranteed.
His $25 million AAV officially places him among the Top 10 highest-paid EDGE rushers in the NFL

Proposed Contract Structure

2026
• Base salary: $5M
• Signing bonus: $5M
• Cap hit: $10M
• Note: Low cap hit to fit the Eagles’ current $9.7M space.

2027

• Base salary: $10M
• Bonus: $5M
• Cap hit: $15M
• Note: Sack-based incentives.

2028
• Base salary: $15M
• Bonus: $5M
• Cap hit: $20M
• Note: Peak guarantees.

2029
• Base salary: $20M
• Bonus: $5M
• Cap hit: $25M
• Note: Option year, voidable.

2030
• Base salary: $15M
• Bonus: $5M
• Cap hit: $20M
•

Note: Extension option.

This structure gives the Eagles long-term cap flexibility while securing a pass rusher who already has 26 career sacks and is entering the prime of his career.

WHY THE EAGLES HAD TO SIGN HIM NOW

Philadelphia entered 2025 without Sweat, Huff, or Williams — a trio that accounted for much of their past pass-rush production. Moro Ojomo has played well, but the Eagles still lacked a true disruptor who could change games on his own.

Phillips instantly became that player.
His burst.
His length.
His ability to win inside and outside.
Everything about his game elevated a defense that had been running out of answers.

Despite past injuries, the Eagles believe his upside is simply too big to risk letting him reach free agency in 2026. They chose decisiveness — and locked in a cornerstone.

A team source put it bluntly:

“He changed our defense overnight. When you find a player like that, you don’t let him walk.”