FA Splash: Panthers sign Jaelan Phillips EDGE

[PantherPhann89]

56 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Per web people-

4 years, $80 million guaranteed, $120 mil overall

 

A lot of money but we really needed a pass rush...

[MHS831]

Just now, PleaseCutStewart said:

The great thing about signing him is that we won't have to be hard pressed to take an edge in the first few rounds. Now we can focus on LB, oline, and corner/safety

If I can extend your thought with some predictions (but I have a hunch we are not done--expect us to sign at least 1 LB--not sure that changes this, however):

Round 1:  OT

Round 2: LB

Round 3:   C or DB

Round 4:  DB or C

[strato]

10 minutes ago, VintagePanther said:

No i believe you . I believe everything you’re saying . It’s understandable. But what you’re saying isn’t a fact it’s your opinion. You feeling like he quit doesn’t make it a fact. Easier said than done , meaning we are just fans . What we think a team should and shouldn’t do doesn’t affect us really . Our jobs not on the line . We fans 

I saw him. I believe he said something too but it has been a long time so I wouldn’t swear to that part in a courtroom. 
Yeah it is for sure my opinion and if I think I see that, well, I know you can’t reward that. I mean no I do not get to act for the team and they don’t ask me. A lot of what we say here is from that mindset though. 

Edited 5 hours ago by strato

[Khyber53]

4 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I think we all see that side--I think we are gambling that he will enter his prime and Scourton and he tear it up.  I also think this deal does not go down if Ickey does not go down.  I think this tells the world that we are going OT in round 1.  

Yeah, I can see that happening now, too.

That's just a lot of money on the table. I hope that's a gamble that will pay off. I'm not liking our track record. I've long said Morgan can be a sucker for a good sales pitch.

[MHS831]

11 minutes ago, RJK said:

Typical panthers. This doesn’t even kind of fix the pass rush 

Wharton sucked last year because we had no effective edge for most of the year.  Put someone like this on his side, Wharton becomes much better.

I also expect the focus on ILB to be (pass rusher, coverage guy) we should add 2.  If that happens, we could improve the pass rush considerably, if only in theory at this point.

[PanthersNCSU]

If he stays healthy, beautiful. Between him, DB, Scourton, a rookie, etc., things look decent and allow the defense to hopefully get pressure with 4. 

My biggest issue, is tying up so much money in injured players. When we have to pray that Horn and Phillips both stay healthy or we waste $50 mil a year...oof.  That's before getting into Turk's overpaid ass and any others we may trot out in the starting lineup. 

[rebelrouser]

Malik Willis to Dolphins and Tua to Falcons?

[flagfootballcoach28]

Wasn't this guy almost medically retired not too long ago? I'm having a hard time stomaching this signing.. He is not worth this type of contract plain and simple. If he doesn't pan out, having Phillips and Wharton signed to these insane contracts will be disastrous. 

[MHS831]

Former Dolphins and Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips has agreed to a four-year, $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers that includes $80 million in guarantees, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The Eagles acquired Phillips from Miami at the November trade deadline for a 2026 third-round draft pick. Phillips called landing in Philadelphia "literally the greatest thing that has happened to me in my whole life, probably," noting how welcoming everyone was and how much he liked the environment.

He proved to be a fit both in the locker room and in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme, having played under Fangio earlier in Miami. Phillips appeared in eight regular-season games and finished with two sacks, seven quarterback hits, a forced fumble and four passes defended, helping to solidify one of the top defenses in the NFL in 2025.

A first-round pick out of Miami in 2021, Phillips has dealt with his share of significant injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2023 and a partially torn ACL in 2024. He played in all 17 games this past season, however -- marking the first time he had done so since 2022.

Phillips, 26, has 28 career sacks and 68 quarterback hits in 63 games.

ESPN's Tim McManus contributed to this report.

[mrcompletely11]

4 minutes ago, flagfootballcoach28 said:

Wasn't this guy almost medically retired not too long ago? I'm having a hard time stomaching this signing.. He is not worth this type of contract plain and simple. If he doesn't pan out, having Phillips and Wharton signed to these insane contracts will be disastrous. 

achilles tear 23

ACL partial tear 24

concussion 25

 

Hes been through the ringer for sure

[*FreeFua*]

9 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Wharton sucked last year because we had no effective edge for most of the year.  Put someone like this on his side, Wharton becomes much better.

I also expect the focus on ILB to be (pass rusher, coverage guy) we should add 2.  If that happens, we could improve the pass rush considerably, if only in theory at this point.

Wharton sucked last year because Wharton himself sucks

plus he can’t stay healthy 

[Bear Hands]

8 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

If I can extend your thought with some predictions (but I have a hunch we are not done--expect us to sign at least 1 LB--not sure that changes this, however):

Round 1:  OT - Monroe Freeling

Round 2: LB - Deontae Lawson

Round 3:   C - Lew

Round 4:  DB - Naturally, they do the Gamecock special again with Kilgore 

An idea based off your wishes

[falconlynx]

47 minutes ago, h0llywood said:

That's a lot of money for a player with a big injury history and 11 sacks in the last 4 seasons. Could have gotten 2 DEs for half the same price and double the production. Trust the process I guess.

You mean like last year? 

[*FreeFua*]

Is it a lot of money? Yep

but the alternative is you don’t overpay and you end up pivoting and signing a Turk Wharton for a significant amount of money and get nothing out of that investment 

Every single offseason top free agents reset the market with the cap rising. It is what it is. More than anything we need a pass rusher. Jaelan generates a ton of pressure. Can kick and win inside on 3rd down. Plays 3 downs. Fits Evero’s scheme

Not going to complain about it. Worried about injury history? Of course but yeah