Jaelan Phillips was recently signed by the Carolina Panthers on a massive $120 million contract during the 2026 NFL free agency period. The team was apparently seeking an edge player to improve their defense, so the addition theoretically addresses a major need. SI’s Albert Breer explained how Matthew Stafford played a role in their decision.
Jaelan Phillips’ Panthers Contract Addresses Weakness Exposed by Matthew Stafford
The rebuilding Miami Dolphins traded Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2025 season. His contract expired at the end of the season, and he switched teams again, this time on a massive new deal. Breer outlined the financial impact of the signing for the Panthers.
“The Jaelan Phillips deal slipped a little under the radar. But the numbers show that Carolina’s deal for the former first-rounder, still just 26 years old until May, was the biggest one done for a free agent last week outside of [Daniel] Jones four years, $120 million, $60 million fully guaranteed, a $35 million signing bonus and an $80 million injury guarantee,” Breer stated.
Daniel Jones’ new contract with the Indianapolis Colts was the only one to surpass Phillips’ deal, which makes sense given he’s a quarterback coming off a breakout year. Breer went on to explain why the Panthers went all in on the edge defender, citing Stafford’s playoff performance in the Los Angeles Rams’ victory.
“The first reason is obvious, and illustrated perfectly by the seven-play, 71-yard drive that Matthew Stafford authored in the wild-card round in Charlotte to end the Panthers’ surprise uprising of a season. Ejiro Evero’s defense barely got a finger on Stafford on the drive, as the league MVP connected on 6-of-7 throws to cover all 71 yards and win the game,” Breer explained.
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The Panthers made an unlikely run to the playoffs in 2025 and almost pulled off an upset against the Rams in the Wild Card round. Stafford ended their season with a game-winning drive and was able to do so without facing pressure from the Carolina defense, as Breer pointed out. He believes this is one of the main reasons the Panthers made it their top priority to land arguably the best available pass rusher in free agency.
Phillips totaled just five sacks during the 2025 season, but he still managed to finish 24th among all edge players in PFSN’s Impact Rankings for his overall defensive contributions. The Panthers seem ready to take the next step forward, and this move should help them do so.
