The Carolina Panthers wasted no time making a splash in the 2026 NFL free agency market, agreeing to a massive four-year, $120 million contract with linebacker Jaelan Phillips. The deal, which includes $80 million fully guaranteed, makes the 26-year-old one of the highest-paid edge defenders in the league and signals Carolina’s aggressive push to rebuild their pass rush.
Quick exit from Philadelphia Eagles after midseason trade
Jaelan Phillips joined the Philadelphia Eagles at the 2025 trade deadline when the team sent a 2026 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins to acquire him. He quickly became a valuable piece of the Eagles’ defense, appearing in eight regular-season games. During that stretch, he recorded two sacks, seven quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and four passes defended, helping anchor one of the NFL’s top-ranked units.
Despite fitting seamlessly into defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme, he had previously played under Fangio in Miami. Phillips chose not to return to Philadelphia. The Eagles had shown interest in bringing him back, but Carolina’s lucrative offer proved impossible to turn down.
