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The Panthers’ high-stakes gamble on edge rusher Jaelan Phillips aims to transform their defense with his disruptive presence.Philadelphia Today
The Carolina Panthers made a splash in free agency by signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a massive 5-year, $120 million contract. The deal has been criticized as one of the worst free agent signings, but the Panthers believe Phillips can transform their defense and are willing to make the investment despite his injury history.
Why it matters
The Panthers are looking to defend their NFC South division title and need to upgrade their pass rush to compete with the top teams in the conference. Phillips has the potential to be a dominant edge rusher, but his injury history raises concerns about the long-term viability of the contract.
The details
Phillips, the 18th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, had 8.5 sacks as a rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he has suffered season-ending injuries in two of his first three seasons, including a torn Achilles in 2023 and an ACL tear in 2024. Despite the injury concerns, the Panthers believe Phillips can be a game-changing talent and are willing to make the big investment to upgrade their defense.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, Jaelan Phillips was selected 18th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.In the 2023 season, Phillips suffered a torn Achilles injury that ended his season.In the 2024 season, Phillips tore his ACL, causing him to miss the entire year.
The players
Jaelan Phillips
A 24-year-old edge rusher who was a first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021. He has shown flashes of dominance but has also dealt with significant injuries in his first three NFL seasons.
Carolina Panthers
The NFC South division champion in 2025 who are looking to upgrade their pass rush in order to defend their title and compete with the top teams in the conference.
Gary Davenport
A Bleacher Report insider who ranked the Panthers’ signing of Jaelan Phillips as one of the 10 worst free agent deals of the offseason.
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What they’re saying
“His pass-rush win rate last year with the Philadelphia Eagles was under 10 percent, and he has a lengthy injury history—he ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2023 and tore his ACL the following year.”
— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report Insider
“Phillips totally transformed that defense, and it’s not as if they had a Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons off the edge. In fact, their edge room has a collection of decent but uninspiring players.”
— Zach Roberts, Author
What’s next
The Panthers will be closely monitoring Jaelan Phillips’ recovery from his previous injuries as he prepares for the 2026 season. If he can stay healthy and continue to develop as a pass rusher, the big investment could pay off in a big way for Carolina’s defense.
The takeaway
The Panthers are taking a calculated risk by investing heavily in Jaelan Phillips, but they believe his potential impact on their defense is worth the gamble. While the contract may seem risky, the Panthers are willing to make bold moves to build a championship-caliber team.