Five things to know about new Eagles LB Jaelan Phillips, from his musical background to his contract status
Howie Roseman and the Eagles aren’t wasting any time addressing their biggest trade deadline needs.
Howie Roseman has been active approaching Tuesday’s 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline.
After previously adding cornerbacks Jaire Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler, and Michael Carter II, Roseman was back at it Monday. The general manager added to the Eagles’ edge rusher room, trading a third-round pick to acquire linebacker Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins.
Here are five things to know about the Eagles’ newest pass rusher …
Phillips knows Vic Fangio
In 2023, Phillips played under current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio during the latter’s one season in Miami. It was tracking to be one of Phillips’ best years as a pro before he suffered a season-ending injury. In eight games before he suffered a torn Achilles tendon, he put up 6½ sacks and added an interception.
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He’s involved with charity
Phillips started his own foundation, the Jaelan Phillips Foundation, and regularly volunteered in the Miami community. One of the organizations his charity supported is Lotus House, a shelter for homeless women and children in the area.
He medically retired from football
Phillips started his college career at UCLA in 2017, but after suffering a season-ending concussion and being struck by a vehicle in 2018, he elected to medically retire from football.
In 2019, he transferred to the University of Miami to attempt a comeback, and after sitting out the 2019 season, in 2020 he was a second-team all-American.
The Dolphins selected Phillips 18th overall in the 2021 NFL draft.
He’s interested in music
Phillips is a man of many talents. At both UCLA and Miami, he majored in music production, and Phillips was classically trained in the piano starting at age 8.
His grandfather is a pianist and conductor who earned three degrees from the Juilliard School and was the dean at the Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Florida for over two decades before retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
» READ MORE: Eagles acquire pass rusher Jaelan Phillips from Dolphins
He’s a pending free agent
Phillips is just 26, but he’s a rental, playing on the final year of his rookie contract. He has struggled to stay healthy, suffering season-ending ACL and Achilles tears in 2023 and 2024, but if he produces with the Birds, he could be an extension candidate.
For a little more on Phillips’ personality and what he’s like on the field, he was recently mic’d up for a Dolphins game …