Jaelan Phillips One of Many Shoes to Drop for Dolphins
Quite the symbiotic relationship the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles find themselves in. The Eagles are in desperate need of a pass rusher and Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross is currently standing outside of the team’s facility with a keg of dynamite.
Sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Eagles are sending a 2026 third-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for outside linebacker/edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Phillips was the 18th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and has had an up-and-down career, mainly because of injuries. He’s blew out his Achilles the day after Thanksgiving against the New York Jets in 2023, returned for four games last year and then tore his ACL.
He has three sacks in nine games this year which is two more than any Eagles edge rusher so far this season. You can see why the Eagles traded for him.
The Eagles could really use Jaelan Phillips
The Eagles recently brought back defensive end Brandon Graham out of retirement. He had a productive year last year and he’s a fan favorite and he returned from a pec injury to play in the Super Bowl and they won and everything is great. Listen, Brandon Graham is 37-years old. This team should be looking to acquire Myles Garrett and had to settle for Phillips because that’s how things work.
Second-year man Jalyx Hunt has been okay so far this year, but he has one sack. Nolan Smith has missed most of this season with a triceps injury after turning into an unbridled monster last year. Za’Darius Smith, the team’s sack leader amongst edge rushers? Yeah, for whatever reason he said screw it and left; he retired a few weeks ago.
This offseason, the Eagles “bolstered” their pass rush with free agents Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari. After getting a close look at their work this season, it’s become apparent that they were on sale for a reason.
It remains to be seen how Eagles’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will handle his news toys after the bye week. The Eagles also traded for slot corner Michael Carter and outside cornerback Jaire Alexander, two moves that will most likely bolster nothing. Phillips played for Fangio in Miami so the old defensive coordinator should have some ideas in mind of how to use hm. Hopefully it’s a real tackle-the-guy-trying-to-throw-the-ball approach.
For those scoring at home, Phillips is a rent-a-player since he’s scheduled to become a free agent after this season. I guarantee this trade reminds Eagles fans of the defensive version of the Golden Tate trade years ago. At least they got a playoff touchdown out of it.
What does Jaelan Phillips absence mean for the Dolphins?
If it wasn’t clear before, it is now: The Miami Dolphins are open for business.
The trade deadline is Tuesday, November 4th and the Dolphins surely aren’t done. Pass rushers Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon are rumored to be available as well so who knows where they will be come this time next week.
In terms of the Phillips trade, how did the Dolphins make out? Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports gives the Dolphins a B grade for this trade.
“But Phillips, 26, was headed for free agency after the 2025 season,” Benjamin writes. “He’s also been quite mercurial in terms of both production and, more so, availability, missing a combined 22 games from 2023-2024, so it’s not like Miami would’ve been betting on a stable starter had it extended him. Fielding a late third-rounder for a volatile performer on an expiring deal is solid process.
“Now comes the difficult part of Dolphins brass — whoever that is moving forward — making good on the added resource.”
Dodgers Lineup vs Rockies: Max Muncy Returns, Tyler Glasnow Starting
The Los Angeles Dodgers salvaged their weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles with a win on Sunday, but are looking to turn the page on an ugly road trip as they return home Monday to face the last place Colorado Rockies.
Right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow (1-3, 3.41 ERA), who was scratched from his scheduled start on Friday, is taking the mound for LA now that his back is feeling better.
Opposite Glasnow will be Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander (2-12, 6.77 ERA), who’s had a rough rookie season with Colorado.
Max Muncy is back in the lineup batting in the fourth spot. The team hasn’t officially announced a roster move activating him from the IL.
Dodgers Starting Lineup
- Shohei Ohtani, DH
- Mookie Betts, SS
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Max Muncy, 3B
- Teoscar Hernandez, RF
- Michael Conforto, LF
- Hyeseong Kim, 2B
- Andy Pages, CF
- Ben Rortvedt, C
How to Watch Dodgers vs Rockies on Monday
First pitch for Dodgers vs. Rockies on Monday, September 8 is 7:10 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on SNLA.
