Panthers upgrade their defense by agreeing to terms with Jaelan Phillips

The Carolina Panthers are upgrading their defense, with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips agreeing to terms on a four-year ($120 million) contract, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, $80 million of the $120 million is guaranteed. 

Phillips spent 2025 with the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles, collecting five sacks, two fumble recoveries and 29 solo tackles in 17 games. The former first-round pick (18th overall) was one of the premier trade targets at the trade deadline last season, with the Eagles sending a 2026 third-round pick to Miami. 

Phillips missed the Eagles' wild-card round matchup with the San Francisco 49ers after having concussion symptoms in December. 

Jaelan Phillips will help upgrade an average Panthers defense

The Panthers had a middle-of-the-road defense in 2025 (16th, 327.2 yards per game) and were terrible at getting after the quarterback (third-worst in sacks, 30). Phillips had the same number of sacks as linebacker Nic Scourton (five) and defensive end Derrick Brown (five), ho led the Panthers in sacks. 

The Panthers run a base 3-4 defense, which is the same system Phillips had under Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who was also his coach in Miami. At 26, Phillips is in the prime of his career and will offer the Panthers a locker room leader, having learned from great veterans on the Eagles such as defensive end Brandon Graham.