ESPN Insider Predicts 'Massive Payday' for Eagles Star

The Eagles’ defense looked like a completely different unit in Week 10 against Green Bay. They were able to pressure Jordan Love all game, repeatedly forcing him into tough throws. This formula resulted in the Packers’ worst offensive performance of the season. The biggest difference between the defense before and after the Bye Week? The addition of Jaelan Phillips. If he continues to perform this way the rest of the season, he will be setting himself up to cash in. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler predicts this payday coming for Phillips, but hints it may be coming from a different team.

In a recent article published on ESPN, the question of “Who is the most interesting looming 2026 free agent, and where could he land?” was posed, and Fowler had this to say:

“Jaelan Phillips’ free agency has my attention. He was knocking on the door of becoming a top-10 pass rusher in the NFL before injuries hit. But now he’s rounding into form and looks rejuvenated by the trade that sent him to Philadelphia, recording 6 tackles (1 for loss), 2 quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery Monday night in Green Bay. If Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can help maximize Phillips, a massive payday might be waiting in Philadelphia or elsewhere. This puts the Eagles in position to earn a strong compensatory pick for Phillips if he leaves.”

Philadelphia or Elsewhere?

The Philadelphia Eagles losing their prized trade deadline acquisition months after they acquired him certainly doesn’t sound ideal. Giving up a third-round pick for a half-season rental would be a hefty price to pay. This, actually, could be the best-case scenario for the Eagles. The Eagles are very clearly in a championship window right now. They are the defending Super Bowl champions,  seven and two, and the NFC’s number one seed. In sports, and especially the NFL, championship windows close very quickly. While they still have this opportunity, the Eagles need to take full advantage of it. If Phillips takes his game to the next level for the rest of this season, it could be the missing piece they desperately needed to repeat. Phillips playing himself out of the Eagles’ price range means he turned into a game-changing defender down the stretch. If the trade-off for Phillips being an elite defender means his future services become a bidding war, that’s something Howie Roseman would sign up for. On top of all of that, the Eagles would still receive a third-round compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere. If there’s one person who won’t be denied on the open market, though, it’s Roseman. If he wants Jaelan Phillips to remain a Philadelphia Eagle beyond 2025, he will find a way to accomplish just that. Main Image: Bill Streicher – Imagn Images