Dolphins Edge Rusher Eyeing 'Simplicity' in 2025 Approach

"Getting back to the basics, playing instinctively," Phillips said (h/t palmbeachpost.com). "I feel like in time the last couple of years, there’s so many guys that have so many different skill sets, so many specific moves. You’ve got Danielle Hunter who can do his like hook, cross-chop situation. You’ve got Cam Jordan, he’s going to hit a chop-swim.

"You’ve got guys that specialize in different things. I feel like I’ve almost gotten caught up in, ‘Oh, I want to do that. I want to do that. I want to do that.'"

Instead, Phillips is focused on getting back to the player he was before his injury. The Dolphins' edge rusher was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and played all 17 games his first two years in the league.

Phillips accumulated 15.5 sacks, 103 tackles, and 17 TFLs over his first two years. He also delivered 41 quarterback hits, defended three passes, and recovered three fumbles. He showed why he was a first-round draft pick and was having a breakout season in 2023 before his injury.

In just eight games, he had collected 6.5 sacks, 43 tackles, seven TFLs, 11 quarterback hits, an interception, and two additional passes defended.

After such a strong start to his career, Phillips' injury troubles set him back, and he's now playing in the final year of his rookie contract. But the Dolphins' edge rusher is ready to prove what he's worth yet again in 2025.

"Obviously, I went through a lot over the last couple of years, so I felt like I needed to take a little bit of time to regather myself," Phillips said on the second day of mandatory minicamp. "It allowed me to come back with a lot more clarity and focus and just motivation. I feel like right now I’m in a really good place."

If Phillips puts up numbers like he has in the past when healthy this season, he could be in store for a big contract following the 2025 season. If that's the case, the Dolphins will likely have had a good season as well.