March 2, 2026, 5:09 a.m. ET

The New England Patriots are reportedly interested in several key Philadelphia Eagles players.Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson are two names linked to the Patriots.Phillips could command a contract worth over $20 million per year in free agency.New England currently has the 9th most salary cap space in the NFL.

We’re just eight days away from the legal tampering period and ten days from the official start of the NFL’s new league year for the 2026 season. There will be tons of storylines, but none bigger than the Patriots’ infatuation with key Eagles personnel. According to several reports, New England will be in the market for playmaking defenders with the start of free agency fast approaching, and Mike Vrabel has zeroed in on a Philadelphia pass rusher.

Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips are two players to watch for the Patriots, according to a recent report from MassLive’s Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian.

Two names to watch are Jaelan Phillips and Trey Hendrickson. We’re told there are quite a few admirers inside Gillette Stadium of both players.

Phillips was a player the Patriots had interest in during the NFL trade deadline before Miami traded him to Philadelphia. The 26-year-old edge rusher had five sacks last season and is viewed as a fit in Vrabel’s system. The big question, however, is how much the Patriots are willing to spend.

Intel at the Combine suggests that Phillips will have a decent market, potentially surpassing $20 million per year. He’s considered one of the best available free agents.

New England’s $40,260,596 in salary cap space is currently the 9th most in the NFL, according to Over The Cap.

The Eagles traded a 2026 third-round pick to acquire Phillips, who came to Philadelphia on the final year of his contract. The former Dolphins first-round pick finished with 28 tackles and two sacks in 8 games and called his trade to the Birds one of the best moments of his life. Phillips didn’t put up all-world sack numbers, but he put pressure on the quarterback, and his 73 were the 9th-best in the NFL according to PFF.Phillips played 819 snaps at edge rusher in 2025, while posting a 77.1 pass rush grade, 20th best in the NFL.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.