MHS831

2025?

that makes sense--a bit older/

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.

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.

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

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.

The sticker shock hits you hard--but we are ready to make our move, it seems.

At least we don't play soccer.

Risky move. I dunno, but I am hoping for the best. Mediocrity is not getting us anywhere--so roll em.

It scares me too. And there was this guy named Greg Olsen. Jake Delhomme. Stephen Davis. Sam Mills and Kevin Greene etc. This took balls.

Good post. We jump to buyer's remorse quickly.

sho Folks, he is going to be 27. These numbers are scary good, imo. 5th in hurries, 9th in pressures, 14th in stops---the man makes things happen. This should send Jones II and Princely to the reserve roles in the rotation. If Scourton continues his level of improvement, we are much improved. I really thought the Eagles had this fish in the boat. Wonder if Morgan remembers the Eagle that got away last year?

I am pretty sure we need a new punter. Come on Morgan!!!

The risk is a concern, but every player who steps on the field is at risk. Part of it. No fan of the price, but I wanted him back when Hendrickson was the talk. Then I got off Edge altogether, thinking we could not afford edge. Tired of all this winning.

Weren't we all at some point? His parents should have been sued.

Saw something like that coming--thought Rico had a shot.

good point. I am interested to see what we do in free agency. I am also of the mindset that DT is a bigger need than we think. After D. Brown, mediocrity and suckage. I think we could be in the market for Brown's sidekick. Some disagree and I see their points, but don't be surprised...

twin dongs.

I see that take, but there are some OTs who did not have the arm length to stay outside and they could be gems with some development. Day 2 (probably 3rd round) is when they will start dropping. I think we like Samac and if we can add a good c prospect on day 3, we might feel that we have lost little-we want a run blocker first C, imo, and Mays was not that. Corbett was oft injured and meh. Between Lewis and Hunt, that may be enough. Not ideal, but the cap makes you get creative at some positions...

Less than an hour ago, Eagles reporting through SI that they are close to a "Monster" deal with Phillips. https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/eagles-make-significant-progress-on-monster-jaelan-phillips-deal-pat3

https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/eagles-make-significant-progress-on-monster-jaelan-phillips-deal-pat3

especially when he is on the brink of a big payday. My thinking, you ask? Until you find, "that guy," you don't pay a guy who can't get you a Lombardi. That stunts your growth. A 4-year audition is enough.

Dont know how much of that is kaye speculating or inside info--i used to be a reporter at the Observer for a few months out of college (internship type thing) and I was close to Bonnell. He was a master at not blasting whispers and inside intel to sell a paper. He knew stuff, but he never tried to become Nostradamus.

To summarize my summary. The answer at C may be on the roster and/or day 3 of the draft. OT in round 1 is not crazy The Panthers can afford to go high-end ILB but no good fit or salary for high-end edge. Not sure edge will be that much of a focus, although we will probably do something somehow. I will repeat my opinion that it will be a situational vet pass rusher. We may not be as hungry for a Safety, and Smith-Wade could be moved to FS. With Ransom and Mehrig, we may be good. (I had S as a top 4 need) We may not be as hungry for a WR as previously thunked. So with this epiphanyism, I might adjust my needs (needs--in relation to the cap, current contracts, and available personnel with a realistic focus on salaries). Without further ado, my adjusted (what I think the Panthers are currently thinking) top 8 needs. (Spoiler alert-I am going rogue a bit--buckle up, bastids. 1. Offensive Tackle. (Kaye explains that, if you consider long-term needs and contracts etc. in relation to cap, this is a need. I disagree with his comments about drafting what he calls a "swing tackle" at 19. I think you draft your LT here and plan to move Ickey if he returns to health. Moton's contract expires in 2027. 2. Defensive Tackle. A lot of you blasted me rudely when I suggested that we might draft DT on day 2. You mocked me. It hurt. Seriously, if we sign a ILB in free agency and downplay our need for edge, then we have to look at DT as a problem. Yes, we have jags and busts, but a stud beside Brown? I think DT might be our second round pick. 3. Center. Not for a second to I think Samac is the perfect answer, but in a zone scheme that focuses on run blocking, he might be better value than what we can draft or sign in free agency. Look for a C in round 4 or even 5. I think we could draft Parker, the OT from Duke turned C. 4. Tight End. This surprises me even as I type it. I am guessing there is a type we are looking for, and I am guessing it is because Sanders has not become what they wanted. TEs are not expensive, so this could be a free agent signing. 5. Nickel CB. Watch for a big nickel CB who can blitz. I have not researched this, but they got me to thinking. That is all for now. 6. Another LB. I have crushed on Golday for some time. Depending on who we sign in free agency (and ILB will be our biggest signing) They want 2 studs back there who can process and cover from sideline to sideline. 7. Edge. We may do nothing or sign a journeyman for a season or two in free agency, but if we sign an edge, I am guessing it will be later in free agency. Someone we have to research. Last year, we did not have our 2 starters for a combined 22 games. Scourton emerged as a potential star. Princely showed some flash. With more blitzing from LB, S, and CB, with better pass rush from the DL, we may need to develop instead of adding salaries. 8. QB. We need to find QBs that are capable of starting in the NFL and find players who can fit here. I think there might be a day 3 gem or two in this draft. add a vet not getting social security and draft a developmental prospect as the emergency qb. There you have it. Subject to change.