A league source has confirmed with Carolina Blitz reports that the Panthers have agreed to terms with former Eagles’ outside linebacker Jaelan Smith. The deal is reportedly for four years and worth $120 million with $80 million in guarantees.
Phillips,26, has had bouts with injuries during his five year career – rupturing his achilles in 2023 and tearing his ACL in 2024 – but didn’t miss a game last season.
In 2025 he recorded 25 tackles and three sacks for Miami, followed by 28 tackles and two sacks for Philadelphia after being traded to the Eagles in November for a third round draft pick.
Coming into the off-season, general manager Dan Morgan said improving the pass rush was a priority. Last year Phillips generated a 18.8% pressure rate on his pass rush snaps, which was 5th among edge defenders with at least 200 pass-rush attempts. He also posted a 19.1% pass-rush win rate.
Jaelan Phillips is a native of Redlands California. He played two years at UCLA before medically retiring from football in December of 2018. In 2019 he transferred to the University of Miami – sitting out the season due to transfer rules. In 2020 Phillips started for the Hurricanes, finishing with 45 tackles, eight sacks, and an interception – earning him second-team All American and All ACC honors.
He was selected by the Dolphins with the 18th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Phillips also loves music – having studied music production at Los Angeles City College and the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.
