The NFL’s free agency tampering period opens Monday, and teams across the league are preparing for a fast-moving stretch that will shape rosters for the 2026 season. Few clubs enter the week with more uncertainty than the Philadelphia Eagles, who must navigate a critical contract decision involving edge rusher Jaelan Phillips while also weighing potential trade options.
Philadelphia Eagles Prepare Contingency Plans While Working To Retain Jaelan Phillips
Phillips is viewed as one of the most important pieces of Philadelphia’s offseason plan. The Eagles traded a third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for him at last year’s deadline, and keeping him in the building is viewed as essential for a defense that finished with a PFSN NFL Defense Impact score of 83.0, which ranked seventh in the league.
His blend of power, burst, and versatility helped stabilize the front during the second half of the season, and the organization has made it clear that retaining him is a major priority.
The challenge is the market. Phillips is expected to draw significant interest if he reaches free agency, and the Eagles are preparing for several possible outcomes. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team is pushing to finalize a long-term deal but is also exploring backup plans.
“People inside the league believe Philly is attempting to re-sign Phillips to a deal that would pay him well above $20 million per year. But Phillips will have a strong market if he chooses to enter free agency,” Fowler wrote this weekend.
“As a contingency, the Eagles are believed to have inquired about Minnesota’s Jonathan Greenard,” he added. “The Vikings have received many inquiries on Greenard, who will be far cheaper to acquire than Crosby. A Day 2 pick probably gets a deal done. But complicating matters is Greenard’s contract.”
“Teams say he wants a new deal. His current contract is set to pay him $38 million over the next two years. Mafe is also considered a viable edge option if the Phillips deal doesn’t materialize,” Fowler concluded.
Greenard would give Philadelphia a proven pass-rushing presence at a more manageable acquisition cost, although his contract situation adds another layer to any potential deal. Fowler also notes that Seattle’s Boye Mafe is viewed as a realistic alternative if the Eagles are forced to pivot.
Philadelphia has long built its identity around a deep and disruptive defensive front, and the decisions made in the coming days will determine whether that foundation remains intact.
Whether the answer is Phillips, Greenard, Mafe, or another unexpected move, the Eagles appear committed to keeping their pass rush among the league’s most impactful in 2026 and beyond.
