It’s important to have backup plans and alternative objectives to those backup plans when it comes to NFL free agency. The Philadelphia Eagles appear to be developing that in the edge rushing market. Their own free agent, Jaelan Phillips, is at the center of it.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday the Eagles are pushing to re-sign Phillips on a major deal. But as an alternative, Philadelphia also called the Minnesota Vikings about veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard.
“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,” wrote Fowler.
“As a contingency, the Eagles are believed to have inquired about Minnesota‘s Jonathan Greenard.”
The Eagles acquired Phillips from the Miami Dolphins for a third-round pick at the 2025 NFL trade deadline. Insiders, such as Fowler, have made it clear Philadelphia’s preference is to re-sign Phillips.
Greenard, though, could be available for an affordable trade. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 3 the Vikings “are now open” to trading the veteran defensive end as a potential cap casualty.
For 2026, Greenard possesses a $22.15 million cap hit. According to Spotrac, the 2024 Pro Bowler has earned $42.4 million during his NFL career.
Eagles Pushing to Sign Edge Rusher Jaelan Phillips: Report
There were several different takeaways from Fowler’s Sunday update to Philadelphia’s edge rushing pursuits. The first of which was with Phillips.
ESPN insiders have stressed throughout the past week the Eagles want Phillips back. Fowler suggested nothing different.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected Phillips’s market value to be $98 million on a 4-year deal. ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicted the edge rusher to land a 4-year, $92 million contract.
Those two projections set Phillips’s average annual salary between $23-$24.5 million. With Fowler writing the Eagles are working on a deal with the edge rusher that would pay him “well above $20 million per year,” Philadelphia appears to be in the right neighborhood.
In 2025, Phillips posted five sacks with seven tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits while playing 17 games for the Eagles and Dolphins.
He hasn’t had more than seven sacks since his rookie 2021 season. But his ability to create havoc and potential to get even better make Phillips one of the top pending free agent edge rushers.
“Phillips is a young, ascending edge rusher who finished fourth in pressure rate last season among players with at least 250 pass-rush snaps,” wrote Popper.
“He is an explosive athlete with a violent play style. He has short-area burst as a rusher, particularly when he drives to the inside on swim moves. He is a physical edge setter in the run game who can dominate tight ends in one-on-one situations. Phillips also has real coverage ability, which can allow defensive coordinators to get creative with their blitz and simulated pressure calls.”
Jonathan Greenard Potential Eagles Alternative to Phillips
The simplest and easiest way for the Eagles to address their pass rush this offseason is re-signing Phillips. If not, the team could certainly trade for Greenard.
But doing that could be complex, according to Fowler.
“A Day 2 pick probably gets a deal done. But complicating matters is Greenard’s contract,” Fowler wrote. “Teams say he wants a new deal. His current contract is set to pay him $38 million over the next two years.”
This is where the Eagles need to have a contingency for their backup plan. Fowler suggested unrestricted free agent edge rusher Boye Mafe will be that.
Greenard experienced a disappointing 2025 campaign with the Vikings after making the Pro Bowl during his first season with the team. Greenard had 12.5 sacks in 2023 and then 12 sacks during 2024.
But in 2025, he had three sacks with 10 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits in 12 games.
Mafe has seen his sack production drop recently as well. He had two sacks with four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits with the Seattle Seahawks last season.
Mafe, though, was a key part of Seattle’s pass rush rotation on the way to the Super Bowl. Analysts don’t expect him to be a star for his next team like Phillips or Greenard could be. But Mafe would be cheaper and could contribute nicely in the right situation.
During 2023, Mafe posted nine sacks with nine tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.
Eagles Inquired on $42 Million Star Amid Jaelan Phillips Uncertainty: Report