PHILADELPHIA, PA — November 3, 2025
Some trades are about strategy. Some are about draft pick value. But sometimes, a trade is about something more — it's about loyalty, betrayal, and a chance at redemption.
On Sunday night, the Philadelphia Eagles executed their third trade in five days, bringing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins to Philly for a 2026 third-round pick. But this isn't just another roster move by GM Howie Roseman — this is the story of a warrior discarded right when he proved he'd survived injury hell.
And the Eagles — reigning Super Bowl champions, leading the NFC at 6-2 — are bringing him home to his "second father."
From Rookie Star to Two Years of Hell
Jaelan Phillips is no stranger to Vic Fangio. In fact, in 2023, when Fangio was the Dolphins' DC, Phillips had the best season of his career: 6.5 sacks in just 8 games, including a streak of at least one sack in five consecutive games from Week 7-12.
Phillips, drafted 18th overall by the Dolphins in 2021, had an impressive career start with 8.5 sacks as a rookie. He was one of the most promising young edge rushers in the NFL.
Then everything collapsed.
On Black Friday 2023, at MetLife Stadium — the NFL's infamous "graveyard" for tendon injuries — Phillips tore his Achilles, ending his season immediately.
But Phillips didn't quit. He returned in 2024, determined to prove himself.
Then Week 4 vs the Titans, a "friendly fire" collision with teammate Jordan Poyer — Phillips' knee hitting Poyer's helmet — caused him to partially tear his ACL, once again ending his season prematurely.
Two years. Two season-ending injuries. 22 games missed.
2025: Strong Return, But Dolphins Don't Care
In 2025, Phillips returned with iron resolve. Through the first 9 games, he played over 70% of defensive snaps, recording 3 sacks (all in the last 5 games), 25 tackles, and 20 pressures.
He proved he was healthy. That he was still there.
But the Dolphins? They didn't care.
With a 2-7 record, the Dolphins just fired GM Chris Grier on Friday, right after Thursday night's loss to the Ravens. Interim GM Champ Kelly immediately began a "fire sale" — selling off to rebuild.
And Phillips, who gave the Dolphins everything — 8.5 sacks as a rookie, 6.5 sacks before his Achilles tear, two years of injury hell then returning — was traded for just a third-round pick.
The Dolphins even had to pay part of Phillips' salary ($13.25 million prorated) to get the Eagles to accept the deal.
That's not a respectful trade. That's a statement: "We don't need you anymore."
Eagles: Where Fangio Waits
But the Philadelphia Eagles are different.
Roseman — famous for "not being able to sit still" even when his team leads — executed three trades in five days: CB Michael Carter II from the Jets, CB Jaire Alexander from the Ravens, and now Phillips from the Dolphins.
The Eagles have a pass rush crisis: only 16 sacks through 8 games, tied for 9th-lowest in the NFL, and just 4.5 sacks from edge rushers (including 1.5 from the now-retired Za'Darius Smith).
Phillips isn't just an addition. He's the missing piece.
And more importantly, he's returning to Vic Fangio — the man who turned Phillips into a star in 2023, who knows how to use him, whom Phillips once called his "second father".
Fangio, who usually distances himself from Roseman's roster decisions ("miniscule input"), this time can't distance himself from the Phillips trade. This is the reunion he wanted.
Quote Defining Resolve
After his 2024 ACL injury, Phillips shared a statement defining his resilience:
"The mission is still the mission. I have unfinished business to take care of, and I will come out of this trial victorious."
Now, with the Eagles — reigning Super Bowl champions, leading the NFC at 6-2, with Fangio as DC, with Howie Roseman all-in for a repeat championship — Phillips has the chance to complete his "unfinished business."
📊 Jaelan Phillips — Career Highlights:
NFL Career (2021–2025):
55 games, 38 starts with Dolphins
26 sacks, 28 TFL, 61 QB hits
2021 (Rookie): 8.5 sacks
2023 (with Fangio): 6.5 sacks in 8 games before Achilles tear
2025 (comeback): 3 sacks, 25 tackles, 20 pressures, 70%+ snap count
Injury History:
2023: Torn Achilles (MetLife Stadium, Black Friday vs Jets)
2024: Partial ACL tear (Week 4 vs Titans, friendly fire)
22 games missed (2023–2024)
The Big Picture: Loyalty vs. Glory
The Dolphins chose rebuild over loyalty. They sold Phillips — who gave them everything, who fought through two season-ending injuries to return — for a third-round pick.
The Eagles chose glory. They brought Phillips back to Fangio, back to a team leading the NFC, back to a Super Bowl shot.
For Phillips, this isn't just a trade. It's a reminder that sometimes, loyalty isn't repaid where you expect it.
But it can be found where you belong.
💚🦅 Miami chose rebuild over loyalty. Eagles chose glory. For Phillips, this isn't just a trade — it's a second chance at the ring he deserves.
