Jaelan Phillips Predicted to Have Make-or-Break Season for Future in Miami originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
A first-round pick in 2021, the Miami Dolphins’ Jaelan Phillips has struggled to live up to the hype surrounding his high draft status.
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After two complete seasons to begin his career, Phillips has had season ending injuries in back-to-back years. First tearing his Achilles tendon in 2023 and then tearing his anterior crucial ligament (ACL) last season.
After racking up 8.5 and seven sacks in his first two seasons, Phillips was poised for a big leap in year three. He followed through with 6.5 sacks in the first eight games before going down with the torn Achilles.
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) walks off the field with a team trainer after an apparent injury during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium.Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Phillips’ potential is still extremely high as a versatile weakside linebacker for the Miami defense, but his injury history has NFL.com writer Nick Shook declaring the 2025 season a “make-or-break” year.
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“As a player who overcame plenty of health challenges in college — he medically retired from football in 2018 before returning in 2020 — this is nothing new to Phillips, but his mettle will truly be tested in 2025,” Shook wrote.
Overcoming the injuries will be one thing, but Phillips will also be forced to compete for playing time with 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson, who tallied six sacks last season in his rookie year.
If the 26-year-old Phillips can stay healthy while returning to his pre-injury form in 2023, the Dolphins will have a decision to make on re-signing the difference maker. If injuries take their toll, or Phillips struggles to return to any version of himself from his first three seasons, the edge rusher could end up having to test free agency.
Related: Dolphins Predicted to Bench Tua Tagovailoa
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.