If the Philadelphia Eagles want to guarantee a tense relationship with any of their best players moving forward, simply place the franchise tag on them right before they’re about to enter free agency.

It’s what Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport thinks the Eagles could possibly do with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips shortly before the former first round pick gets ready to cash in on a great season.

“Phillips is entering the prime of his career and has no shortage of potential,” Davenport wrote. “But he also has a fairly extensive injury history — one that makes signing the five-year veteran to a long-term deal something of a risky proposition. The projected franchise tag for defensive ends isn’t cheap —$26.6 million. The Eagles are also short on cap space, with $10.4 million in wiggle room. But Philly also doesn’t have much depth on the edge, and losing Phillips would be a major blow, so the tag could be a possibility.”

Phillips Could Cash in Big as Free Agent

Being wanted — and on a good team — are both new feelings for Phillips, who the Eagles obtained in a trade with the Miami Dolphins midway through the season.

While Spotrac projects Phillips’ market value at a 3-year, $52 million contract, that might be a bit low for an elite edge rusher.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox put Phillips at No. 4 on his list of the Top 50 NFL Free Agents for the 2026 cycle following the end of the regular season. Knox also predicts Phillips could land a 3-year, $80 million free agent contract from the Los Angeles Chargers, another playoff team.

“Few players boosted their stock over the second half of the season quite like Jaelan Phillips,” Knox wrote. “A 2021 first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Phillips tallied 22 sacks over his first two-and-a-half seasons before injuries became a significant issue. He was traded to Philadelphia at the 2025 deadline, and he quickly regained his early elite form. Though Phillips only logged two sacks with the Eagles this past season, he recorded 17 quarterback pressures, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He wasted no time adapting to Vic Fangio’s defense and becoming a legitimate difference-maker for Philly.”

Eagles Have Stumbled in Edge Rusher Moves

The Eagles are in such a precarious spot at edge rusher because of their past failings — we can point to one terrible decision each of the last 3 years.

In 2023, the Eagles used a first round pick (No. 30 overall) on edge rusher Nolan Smith, who is grossly undersized for the position at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds. After showing some potential with 6.5 sacks in 2024, Smith took a big step back in 2025 by missing a career-high 5 games and finishing with just 3.0 sacks.

In 2024, the Eagles signed New York Jets edge rusher Bryce Huff to a 3-year, $51.1 million free agent contract and watched him flame out with just 1.5 sacks in one season before he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers.

In 2025, the Eagles let veteran edge rusher Josh Sweat go to the Arizona Cardinals on a 4-year, $76.4 million free agent contract. Sweat had career highs of 11.0 sacks, 12 TFL, 4 forced fumbles and 16 QB hits this season.