MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins are trading edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick in next year’s draft, a person with knowledge of the move said Monday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been finalized or revealed publicly.
It’s a move that reunites Phillips with Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who was in that same role with Miami in 2023. And Phillips was on pace for a huge year that season before a season-ending Achilles tendon tear, with 6 1/2 sacks and 43 tackles in only eight games.
The trade is the first one orchestrated by Dolphins interim general manager Champ Kelly, who assumed that job after longtime GM Chris Grier last week.
Phillips figures to be an instant boost for the Eagles’ pass rush. Philadelphia has only 16 sacks through eight games, tied for ninth-fewest in the 32-team NFL so far this season.
Phillips, drafted by the Dolphins from the University of Miami in 2021, is making $13.3 million in the final season of his rookie deal. He’ll be a free agent following the season.
Phillips set a franchise rookie record with 8 1/2 sacks in his first season in the NFL and followed that with 7 sacks the next year. After returning from the 2023 Achilles injury, Phillips tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2024 season.
He has 25 tackles, three sacks and three tackles for loss this season.
The Dolphins are 2-7, ahead of only the New York Jets and Tennessee in the AFC standings and well out of playoff contention. It’s likely they will be involved in more trade talks before Tuesday’s deadline to complete such moves.
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AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.
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