Jaelan Phillips

Trade Rumors: Dolphins, Jennings, Sweat, Patriots, Chargers, Bills

November 2nd, 2025 at 11:02pm CST by Ely Allen

We’ve seen a bit of a change of trade deadline strategy in Miami since the departure of former general manager Chris Grier. With Grier, the Dolphins were not planning on being very active at the trade deadline. There was some thought that interim GM Champ Kelly would be a bit more open to hearing offers, and after some initial refusal of that notion, the team has changed its tune.

We’ve seen this a bit in rumors, as edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Matt Judon have been the subject of some calls, and the Dolphins have even seemed more open to the idea of trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. According to Armando Salguero of OutKick, team owner Stephen Ross “approved of” — and even encouraged — Kelly selling off valuable players, if he could.

Additionally, per Salguero, Ross informed head coach Mike McDaniel that his job was safe for the season and would continue to be safe “if he can rally the team.” It’s anyone’s guess how McDaniel is expected to improve the team’s performance as the front office auctions off its best players, but that appears to be the challenge posed to the fourth-year head coach. This challenge puts particular stress on McDaniel’s handling of the quarterback position moving forward, following rumors that Tua Tagovailoa could face a demotion from his starting role.

Here are a few other rumors as we have under 48 hours remaining until the trade deadline:

49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has worked his way up from the practice squad in his rookie season to a full-time starting role in his fifth year with the team. Jennings sought an extension in the offseason, and he threatened a trade request in order to gain leverage in negotiations. Some teams reportedly called at the time, but with so many injuries at the position already, San Francisco rebuffed them. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, those same teams appear to be interested again. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has claimed he “would be very surprised” if Jennings gets dealt, mostly because they’ve yet to see the return from injury this year of Brandon Aiyuk. Rapoport suggests that, aside from that, Jennings wouldn’t be off the table.
We’ve already reported that the Titans appear to be open for business in the trade market with every player except rookie No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and starting defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Any other player is seemingly available. Some have been surprised that this apparently includes last year’s second-round defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, but Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com sees the reasoning. Per McCormick, the team has “not been enamored with him” so far. If someone with interest in the 24-year-old out of Texas comes with the right price, it sounds like Tennessee would be willing to part with him.
With Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson dealing with his recent toe injury, and with New England’s rushers underwhelming so far this year overall, rumors have made the rounds that the team could be looking at the position in the trade market. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels attempted to silence those rumors, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, telling the media, “I think we have all the answers we need.” With Stevenson out today, the Patriots leaned on rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson and RB3 Terrell Jennings against Atlanta. They also recently signed veteran D’Ernest Johnson to the practice squad and called him up for the game. Despite no single back averaging more than 35 rushing yards per game this season, McDaniels is apparently comfortable with his stable.
On Saturday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Chargers were “exploring potential offensive line additions” on the trade market. If they weren’t before, they sure are now. Already dealing with a season-ending injury to left tackle Rashawn Slater and injuries this week to right guard Mekhi Becton and backup tackle Austin Deculus, Los Angeles saw its other original starter Joe Alt and replacement starter Bobby Hart exit today’s game with injuries. Down to their third options at both tackle spots, the Chargers may need to get active if they plan on continuing their push for the playoffs.
In regard to the Bills‘ pursuit of wide receiver help through the trade market, while a specific name to add hasn’t yet emerged, another name seemingly has. According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, if Buffalo makes an addition via trade and a corresponding move is needed to fit them on the 53-man roster, depth cornerback Brandon Codrington would be the likeliest cut candidate.

Edge Rusher Trade Notes: Phillips, Johnson, Patriots, Commanders

November 1st, 2025 at 6:01pm CST by Ely Allen

Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is becoming one of the hottest names on the trade market. Currently playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, Phillips could be well on his way to pricing himself out of Miami through free agency, so the Dolphins could look to get something in return for losing him now via trade.

We identified Phillips as a trade candidate about a month ago. The team received interest on the 26-year-old, though Phillips expressed interest in staying in Miami. It quickly became clear, though, that Phillips was becoming more valuable than his pass rushing teammates, Bradley Chubb and Matt Judon. There’s been speculation that the Ravens would have interest in him, and then more speculation about the Eagles, a team that’s been extremely active in the trade market lately.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Baltimore and Philadelphia aren’t alone in their interest. Russini adds the 49ers to the named list of suitors and suggests that others are calling Miami about their pass rushers, as well. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer says Phillips is the most likely to be traded among the Chubb/Phillips/Judon trio.

Here are some other nuggets about the pass rusher trade market:

As mentioned above, the Eagles have shown interest in Phillips, but they’ve also been inquiring about other pass rushers, like Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. Per Russini, the link makes sense due to the presence of Joe Douglas as a senior personnel director on Philadelphia’s staff. Douglas was the general manager in New York when the Jets drafted Johnson and could be talking the 26-year-old up to his new employers. The Jets, though, are seeking a second-round pick or better in exchange for the former Pro Bowler.
Finally, in addition to the Ravens, Eagles, and 49ers, Russini identifies the Patriots and Commanders as teams pursuing pass rushers in the trade market. Specifically, New England is also a team who has been reportedly calling on Phillips in Miami.

Eagles Could Address Pass Rush Before Trade Deadline

October 31st, 2025 at 9:26pm CST by Ely Allen

Since the start of training camp, the Eagles have already made seven trades as part of their efforts to repeat as Super Bowl champions, and according to multiple NFL sources, if a front office phone is ringing, chances are high that general manager Howie Roseman is on the other end looking for more. Atop the NFC East by 2.5 games with top performers at multiple positions, there is one area at which Philadelphia could see serious improvement.

Per Zach Berman of The Athletic, “the obvious spot to watch” in Philadelphia is edge rusher. After losing top sack-getter Josh Sweat to free agency in the offseason, filling out the edge has been a focus of the front office. The Eagles didn’t sign a single multi-year deal in free agency but still added a few potential high-ceiling names in Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Ogbo Okoronkwo. There were quite a few options in the draft, as well, and the team made an intriguing selection on Day 1, trading up a single spot to draft Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.

In overall team rankings, Philadelphia has been pretty middle-of-the-road with its overall pass rush. Per Pro Football Reference, the Eagles’ 16 sacks are tied for 19th in the league, and the defense is 17th in overall pressures with 58. Many of these are not coming from the edge, though. Making up 10 of the team’s 16 sacks, are two defensive tackles, Moro Ojomo (4.0) and Jordan Davis (3.0), and inside linebacker Zack Baun (3.0). The team leader in quarterback hits is defensive tackle Jalen Carter (9), and Ojomo (6) is third on the team with Davis (4) and Baun (4) tying for fourth.

Second-year pass rusher Jalyx Hunt ranks second on the team in quarterback hits with eight, but he’s only amassed one sack in the first half of his sophomore campaign. Uche has spent the second-most time on the edge behind Hunt, but he, too, only has one sack to his name while only accounting for three quarterback hits. Okoronkwo suffered a triceps tear that may have ended his season after only four snaps in his only game of the year. Finally, third-year edge rusher Nolan Smith, who started three games across from Hunt to start the season, only tallied one quarterback hit while failing to notch a sack before landing on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.

The Eagles had also signed veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, who still leads the position group with 1.5 sacks despite suddenly retiring a little over two weeks ago. Retirement giveth and taketh, though, as on the heels of Smith’s retirement, long-time Eagles veteran Brandon Graham came out of retirement to sign back on with the team. Graham may be more of a culture builder or locker room presence, though, considering his final two seasons in Philadelphia paled in comparison to his career-best 2022 campaign.

The rookie Campbell is an intriguing option at the position, as well. The 21-year-old came out of high school and started his career with the Crimson Tide as an edge rusher, only moving to off-ball linebacker due to injuries at the position. He played the 2023 season almost exclusively in that role but found more versatility in where he lined up throughout his final year with the team, spending increased time in his original position.

Due to this experience, there was a good amount of speculation in how he would be used in the NFL. It seemed early on that the Eagles would be willing to entertain his usage at both positions, but they started him as an off-ball linebacker, and he earned a starting role. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Campbell has excelled in the role, ranking as the team’s second-best defender and the sixth-highest graded linebacker in the NFL, so it doesn’t appear likely he’ll be moving positions.

Hence why Berman has identified the position as one the team may target in the trade market. If they do move on a pass rusher, though, they can’t make any more small moves. They’ll need to target players who can move the needle as a consistent defensive presence. Berman is one of several reporters who have identified the Dolphins as a franchise Roseman should reach out to, along with Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports. Specifically, edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips were identified as targets in Miami.

Both player’s careers have ebbed and flowed as injuries have taken a toll on their consistent outputs. Chubb logged a career-high 12.0 sacks as a rookie in 2018 and didn’t see double digits again until he tallied 11.0 in his first full year in Miami. Chubb missed the entire 2024 campaign with a torn ACL but has looked strong this year with four sacks and seven quarterback hits. He has no guaranteed money left on his contract after this year, so he makes perfect sense as a half-year rental that may become a cap casualty after that.

After two strong seasons to start his career, Phillips was on pace for a 14.0-sack season in 2023 before tearing his Achilles tendon after eight games. Season-ending knee surgery would cut off his 2024 campaign after half as many games. Phillips has rebounded decently, as well, though, logging three sacks and seven quarterback hits so far this year. Phillips in currently playing out the fifth-year option of his rookie deal and could leave the team in free agency, with Miami getting nothing in return.

The Eagles aren’t the only ones interested in Chubb and Phillips, though. According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, multiple teams have reached out with significant interest in the oft-injured pass rushing pair. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated added recently that veteran pass rusher Matt Judon, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick have also been points of order on phone calls.

Per Breer, Miami has been steadfast in telling the team’s inquiring about Waddle “no” in no uncertain terms. He believes the team “may be more receptive” on Fitzpatrick, though. For the pass rushers, Wolfe claims the Dolphins’ front office has been hesitant, but with the trade deadline looming, their grip may loosen a bit. The asking price for Phillips is thought to be at least a third-rounder. There was some thought that, with general manager Chris Grier parting ways with the organization this morning, a fire sale of assets may take place, but interim general manager Champ Kelly is thought to be auditioning for a full-time role, so he’ll still be fairly strategic and judicial with any trade talks that take place, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

The Eagles are eager to deal, though. With an expectation of up to three compensatory draft picks in their future, there’s a chance Philadelphia could be sitting on 10 picks for the 2026 NFL Draft. Roseman is reportedly unafraid to trade those picks, and there’s even speculation players like wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back AJ Dillon could be available in packages, as well. Even if the Dolphins are playing hard ball with their most sought-after assets, the Eagles may be willing to play ball en route to a chance at back-to-back championships.

Ravens Buyers Or Sellers At Trade Deadline?

October 28th, 2025 at 10:16pm CST by Ely Allen

As the NFL’s trade deadline approaches a week from today, franchises are taking a candid look in the mirror to determine if they are a few key pieces short of a championship roster or if now is the time for them to unload restrictive or burdensome contracts en route to a rebuild, big or small. At several different points in this young season, the Ravens have appeared to reflect both teams in that mirror.

The team started as a Super Bowl favorite in the eyes of Vegas, coming in with one of the league’s more talented rosters. They came out the gates swinging, looking much like the class of the AFC they had been billed to be, before crashing back to reality at the hands of the team that had ended their season eight months prior. They rebounded with a win over former franchise quarterback Joe Flacco — who they’ll somehow get to play against two more times this regular season — but saw injuries derail their vaunted roster over the next several weeks.

Coming out of their Week 7 bye with a 1-5 record, the Ravens faced a crossroads. While the odds aren’t phenomenal, there have been multiple teams to come back from that same record to make the playoffs; a 1-6 record has only ever been overcome once in NFL history. This statistic put immense weight on the Ravens’ Week 8 game against the visiting Bears.

If the Raven ended up falling to Chicago, it was thought that they might begin to prepare for future seasons. Per Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, with things looking dire, there were rumors Baltimore could look to move players on the final year of their contract. This likely wouldn’t include younger players expecting new deals in the future like center Tyler Linderbaum or tight end Isaiah Likely, but more likely would be the case for veterans like tight end Mark Andrews, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, or pass rusher Kyle Van Noy. It could also encompass young players who might price themselves out of Baltimore in free agency like defensive tackle Travis Jones.

After Lamar Jackson was ruled out for the weekend, though, a 1-6 record seemed a likely destination. Facing a team that came into town sporting the only offense in the NFL to put up at least 21 points in each game this season, the Ravens were averaging 6.5 points per game in contests without Jackson. Newly anointed QB2 Tyler Huntley had other ideas in mind, and Sunday’s victory may have forced general manager Eric DeCosta to shift strategies for the trade deadline.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Ravens were already making calls concerning trades for a cornerback, even before their win changed their immediate outlook. Coming into the season, the new-look secondary was looking strong with Marlon Humphrey coming off a resurgent, first-team All-Pro season, first-rounder Nate Wiggins looking to take the next step, and newcome veterans Chidobe Awuzie and Jaire Alexander appearing to provide significant upgrades to the depth of the room.

Awuzie and Wiggins have certainly played their parts early in the season, but Humphrey has had perhaps the worst half of a season of his career. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) grades Humphrey as the 110th-best cornerback in the NFL out of 113 players graded at the position. And, though Alexander has not appeared on the injury report since Week 2 nor been put on any injury list, he has been inactive from Week 3 on.

Russini’s colleague at The Athletic, Jeff Zrebiec, helped identify pass rusher and offensive guard as two more areas of interest for the Ravens over the next week. Zrebiec saw the team’s Week 8 win, which put the ailing team just two games out of the division lead, as a strong indicator that Baltimore could look to make some acquisitions. If the team were to win again two days from now in Miami, Zrebiec would see that as a green light for DeCosta, who has a history of being aggressive this time of year, previously bringing in contributors like Roquan Smith and Marcus Peters.

Zrebiec focuses the possibilities on athletes Baltimore can realistically acquire, quickly ruling out Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson, and other alike expensive stars whose names have frequented trade rumors. He also steers away from possibilities who wouldn’t provide enough of an upgrade over their current situation, avoiding options like Azeez Ojulari, Arden Key, Evan Neal, and Deonte Banks. Instead, he circles the names of players with tremendous upside who may have some limiting factor keeping their costs down.

First, he suggests reunions with defensive lineman Calais Campbell and guard Kevin Zeitler. Despite the advanced age of both players — 35 years old for Zeitler and 39 years old for Campbell — each has maintained a high level of play since their respective departures from Baltimore. Upon their potential return, either lineman would immediately find their place on the first team.

Two pass rushers he identifies as likely are Jaelan Phillips and Jermaine Johnson — two 26-year-olds. Neither player will be as affordable on the trade market as the aforementioned veterans, but there are reasons Baltimore has a chance at acquiring each of them. Phillips and Johnson have both struggled with injuries in their young careers. When healthy, though, both players have shown impressive production, but their injury history has made their current teams skeptical about the idea of a long-term deal.

So, what can we expect from the Ravens in the coming days? If Baltimore loses Thursday night in Miami Gardens, that question becomes harder to predict. But if the Ravens show signs of heating up in the oddly still within reach AFC North, look for DeCosta to get aggressive in finding assets to help fix the team’s biggest weaknesses. Also, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise is some of those veterans on contract years make their way into potential deals in order to lower Baltimore’s draft compensation.

Dolphins’ Jaelan Phillips More Valuable Than Bradley Chubb?

October 24th, 2025 at 4:18pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

After a 1-6 start to the season, the Dolphins are expected to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline.

No position has a hotter market than edge rusher, and Miami has two that could be moved: Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Teams are interested in both players, and a recent report suggests that the team is more likely to deal them than wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The Eagles are thought to be pursuing an edge rusher, and both Phillips and Chubb spent time under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic.

Phillips is believed to have more value, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The 2021 first-rounder was an ascending player before season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2024, and he appears to be back this season. He only has two sacks and two tackles for loss in seven games, but underlying metrics from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) indicate a stronger performance. Phillips leads the Dolphins with 22 pressures and a 18.2% pass rush win rate. The latter statistic, along with his 15.5% pressure rate, are the best marks of his career; his closest season was his breakout campaign in 2022.

Chubb has four sacks and five tackles for loss with a similar snap share to Phillips. His performance is a solid return after tearing his ACL in 2024 with a pace that is slightly behind his 11.0-sack, 11-TFL 2023. However, his 15 pressures and 10.5 pass rush win rate (via PFF) indicate a less consistent ability to get to the passer relative to his younger teammate.

Both players could have value to other teams in the long-term, too. Phillips could be an extension candidate for his new team, making him more valuable. However, he could could also net Miami a 2027 compensatory pick if he leaves in free agency next spring. The Dolphins are currently projected to be over the 2026 cap with only 34 players under contract, per OverTheCap, so they may not have enough space to offer Phillips a competitive extension. Given the difficult in predicting the compensatory pick distribution every year, Miami might want to get what they can right now.

Chubb, meanwhile, is due $39.5MM in 2026 and 2027 with no guarantees. If his production so far this year continues, he may be worth more to another team at that price than he is to the Dolphins with cap hits over $31MM in those years. If Miami is planning to part ways with him this offseason anyway, they may want to take advantage of his hot start and move him now rather than risk his value dropping in the offseason.

Despite the interest in their edge rushers, the Dolphins seem hesitant to engage in trade talks with general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel both uncertain of their job security, according FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano. Reports have generally indicated that both are safe, but the Dolphins’ losing ways could force a change eventually.

Either way, Miami should be considering trade offers for both Phillips and Chubbs. It’s unlikely that either can take their performance to a level that would change the team’s fortunes this season, and the Dolphins probably need more draft capital for cheap talent more than veteran edge rushers on expensive contracts.

Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle Drawing Interest; Miami Does Not Plan To Deal Waddle, RB De’Von Achane

October 19th, 2025 at 11:45am CST by Rory Parks

At 1-5, the Dolphins look like obvious sellers as the November 4 trade deadline approaches, and sharks are smelling blood in the water. Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, several teams have called Miami to inquire about wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

However, the ‘Fins have told those clubs that they have no interest in moving Waddle. Although Miami will surely entertain offers on players on expiring deals, Waddle is under contract through 2028 by virtue of the three-year, $84.75MM extension he signed last year. Moving him would suggest the Dolphins are seeking to rebuild rather than reload for 2026, and it does not appear the team is ready to do that.

Waddle, who will turn 27 next month, was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2021 draft, and he lived up to his draft status right away, catching 104 balls for 1,015 yards and six TDs as a rookie. His yards-per-reception rate (9.8) was a bit underwhelming, but he more than made up for that with a sophomore campaign in which he caught 75 passes for 1,356 yards – good for an NFL-best 18.1 YPR rate – and eight scores.

He landed the above-referenced extension after his third professional season in 2023 (which was the first time he was eligible for a second pro contract). Despite missing three games that year, he still managed to top the 1,000-yard mark while maintaining a solid 14.1 YPR average, so the Dolphins seemingly had no issue authorizing a big-money deal.

His production took a downturn in 2024, as he tallied 58 receptions for 744 yards and just two TDs. In fairness, Tua Tagovailoa played just 11 games last year, but Miami’s QB1 has played more than 13 contests just once during Waddle’s tenure (2023).

Through the first six games of the current slate, Waddle has posted 29 catches for 390 yards and three TDs. It seems WR-needy teams have no qualms about his abilities, though the Dolphins are understandably taking the stance that the Alabama product is staying in South Beach.

They are saying the same thing about running back De’Von Achane. The 2023 third-rounder’s rookie pact runs through 2026, and his body of work includes a career average of 5.5 yards per carry. He is averaging nearly 100 scrimmage yards per game this year, to go along with six total scores.

As such, it is not surprising that rival teams would have interest, and the Seahawks have been named as a potential suitor. But as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote even before Rapoport’s report, the Dolphins are not looking to move either Waddle or Achane.

Rapoport says it is more likely that the Dolphins look to trade an edge rusher like Bradley Chubb or Jaelan Phillips, who have already surfaced in trade rumors. While Chubb is technically under contract through 2027, his deal contains no more guaranteed money beyond this year, which will make a swap manageable from a dead money perspective. Phillips is currently on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal and is therefore an obvious trade candidate.

Matt Judon, whom Miami signed in late August to serve as a complementary pass rusher, has yet to tally a sack in six games. He is a healthy scratch for the Dolphins’ Week 7 contest against the Browns, and both Rapoport and Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports consider him trade fodder (with Jones saying a Day 3 pick swap is likely enough to get a deal done).

Dolphins OLB Jaelan Phillips Wants To Stay In Miami

October 16th, 2025 at 2:53pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Despite frequently being mentioned as a trade target, Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips would prefer to stay in Miami this season.

“I love this team,” Phillips said this week (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). He added that he “ideally” would remain a Dolphin through the Week 9 trade deadline, but acknowledged that a potential move was “completely out of my control.”

Phillips is entering the final year of a rookie deal with virtually no talk of an extension. His expiring contract and the Dolphins’ 1-5 record has made him a frequent inclusion on lists of potential trade assets.

The 2021 first-round pick gave the team a strong return on their initial investment right away with 15.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in his first two seasons. He seemed to be taking another step in 2023 with six sacks and 11 TFLs in his first eight games before his year came to a sudden end with a torn Achilles. Phillips returned the next season, but only had one sack and one TFL in four games before a partially torn ACL sidelined him for the majority of a second season in a row.

If Miami is not interested in extending Phillips, they should be open to moving him before the deadline. This season, he only has one sack and one tackle for loss, but three or more pressures in five of his six games, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That should be enough to keep teams in need of pass-rushing help interested in the coming weeks.

Other edge rusher trades this season offer a framework for a potential Phillips deal. Bryce Huff was traded from the Eagles to the 49ers conditional fifth-round pick that can be upgraded to a fourth-rounder, while Odafe Oweh was moved for safety Alohi Gilman and a Day 3 pick swap. Both players had better production in previous years but more recent downswings, like Phillips, suggesting that he could fetch a fourth- or fifth-round selection in a trade.

The Dolphins will have to weigh that against the potential for a 2027 compensatory pick if Phillips signs with a new team in free agency. His strong per-game stats in his career but lack of production in the last two years makes it hard to predict what he might fetch in free agency without some positive regression to the results of his early seasons.

Dolphins’ Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips Drawing Trade Interest

October 14th, 2025 at 3:33pm CST by Connor Byrne

After falling to 1-5 with a loss to the Chargers in Week 6, the Dolphins are looking like clear-cut sellers leading up to the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Pass rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are among Dolphins who could wind up on the move. Opposing teams are eyeing both players, Adam Schefter of ESPN told the Pat McAfee Show on Monday.

Chubb recorded 11 sacks in 2023, his second year in the double digits, but he suffered a torn ACL, meniscus, and patellar tendon in the penultimate game of the regular season. While Chubb’s devastating knee injury cost him all of last season, the two-time Pro Bowler has returned this year to offer solid production for the floundering Dolphins.

The 29-year-old Chubb has played in all six games this season while logging a 69.5% snap share on defense. He leads the Dolphins with four sacks, though his performance hasn’t impressed Pro Football Focus (subscription required). PFF ranks Chubb 95th among 110 qualifying EDGE players. Despite that negative evaluation, teams in need of pass-rushing help are monitoring Chubb.

Acquired from Denver in a November 2022 blockbuster, Chubb may leave Miami in another deadline deal in the coming weeks. Chubb signed a hefty five-year extension worth $110MM shortly after the Dolphins landed him, locking him up through 2027, but they reworked that pact last March. As a result, Chubb – who’s on a $12.33MM cap hit this season – isn’t owed any guaranteed money beyond 2025. That should make it easier for the Dolphins to move him.

A former Miami Hurricane, Phillips has spent his entire career with the Dolphins since they used the 18th overall pick on him in 2021. While Phillips has been effective, multiple serious injuries have prevented him from realizing his full potential. An Achilles tear limited Phillips to eight games in 2023, while a partially torn ACL held him to four appearances last year.

Phillips has returned this season to rack up a significant amount of playing time. He has a 69.5% snap share over six games, but the 26-year-old has only notched one sack. Pro Football Focus ranks him 52nd among 110 EDGE qualifiers.

As a soon-to-be free agent, Phillips would be a pure rental for a deadline buyer. He’s playing 2025 on a fifth-year option worth $13.3MM. Our Ely Allen identified Phillips as a viable trade candidate earlier this month, noting teams like the 49ers, Commanders, Chiefs, and Eagles could be among his suitors.

With the Dolphins likely to miss the playoffs for the third year in a row, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel are facing uncertain futures. There’s some question as to whether they’ll even survive the season. Those two remain in place, though, and unless something drastic happens in the next three weeks, Grier will be the one steering the ship at the deadline. He’ll have to decide whether to move Chubb, Phillips, or both defenders in the coming weeks.

Trade Candidate: Jaelan Phillips

October 3rd, 2025 at 10:20pm CST by Ely Allen

While a lot of the focus in Miami right now is on the loss of star wideout Tyreek Hill, the attrition might not stop there. The trade market appears to be hungry for pass rushers, and the Dolphins may just be willing to open one up to the crowd in fifth-year outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips.

The team’s second first-round pick in 2021, Phillps didn’t have to go far after finishing out his collegiate career at The U. A five-star recruit out of Redlands East Valley HS in southern California, Phillips first committed to play at nearby UCLA. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman before seeing his sophomore season come to an early end after only four games because of a season-ending concussion.

After being dealt multiple other injuries, including some from being hit by a car while on a moped, Phillips followed advice to medically retire from the sport. After the school year ended, though, Phillips transferred to Miami (FL), where he intended to return to football. He sat out the 2019 season, as required by the NCAA transfer rules at that time, before delivering a second-team All-American season for the Hurricanes. He opted to forgo his eligibility and was drafted 18th overall by Miami.

Phillips came swinging out the gate for the Dolphins. Rotating in off the bench most of the time as a rookie, Phillips’ 8.5 sacks were a half-sack away from the team lead, which he did achieve with seven sacks in his sophomore campaign. Over those first two years, in addition to the 15.5 sacks, Phillips compiled 17 tackles for loss, 41 quarterback hits, three pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.

In 2023, Phillips looked to be on pace for career-defining year. After missing three of the team’s first five games, he went on a six-game tear. In eight games total, Phillips had racked up 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. With six games left in the season, Phillips looked certain to achieve some new career highs. Instead, a torn Achilles tendon ended his season.

The Dolphins exercised Phillips’ fifth-year option, giving themselves a bit more time to see how he might recover and rejoin the team, and he worked hard to make his way back to the field in time for some training camp. He had overcome injury again and was ready to reap his reward. Unfortunately, Phillips’ injury troubles did not stay at bay for long. In just the fourth week of the 2024 season, Phillips suffered a partially torn ACL that would end that season, as well.

After three and a half healthy seasons of high-level play, it seemed as if Phillips had beaten his injury demons, coming back from the brink of football retirement to become a first-round pick and an NFL starter. In the past two years, though, the medical red flags from his past have begun to stick again.

Still, Phillips is healthy today. Once again working his way back to the field for the start of the regular season, Phillips has started every game so far for Miami and hasn’t appeared on a single injury report. He hasn’t amassed a sack, tackle for loss, or quarterback hit this year, but the Dolphins have been slow to work him back up to the volume of snaps he was playing back in 2022.

If a team is willing to give up some draft compensation for a partial-year rental of Phillips, it seems Miami would be more than willing to oblige. With Phillips on the final year of his contract, there’s a chance he could earn a lucrative deal in free agency if the team that trades for him doesn’t extend or re-sign him. If so, that team could potentially earn a compensatory pick for losing him.

The Dolphins, too, could just wait for the compensatory reward of letting Phillips walk in free agency, but according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Miami would prefer to get a pick for the 2026 NFL Draft now rather than wait for the comp pick in 2027. Plus, because of the comp pick potential, they can ask for a bit more in draft compensation, though it may be a wash as the team receiving him would be taking on more than half of the $13.25MM base salary he’s due this year on his fifth-year option.

So, what teams might be interested in acquiring the 26-year-old with a bit of an injury history? It would likely be a team that is struggling to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and knowing the short-term nature of his deal, they could be hoping to contend this year. The 49ers fit that bill, considering their 18 pressures are good for second-worst in the NFL, despite the fact that they are one of only two teams to have played five games this year. The Commanders, Chiefs, and Eagles are also playoff-hopeful teams who currently sport middle-of-the-road pass rush numbers.

Regardless, there may not be much of a future for Phillips in Miami. Even if he could work his way past a slow start and finish the season strong, his brutal injury history may dissuade a Dolphins front office that has already watched him miss a good portion of the last two seasons. Counterintuitively, a brighter future for Phillips may await him outside of Miami.

Dolphins’ Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips Expected To Be Cleared For Regular Season

June 27th, 2025 at 8:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Expectations will be high in the pass rush department for the Dolphins in 2025 if they can see their top three options on the depth chart stay healthy. Bradley Chubb missed all of last season while Jaelan Phillips suffered an ACL tear which limited to just four games.

In both cases, the past several months has seen considerable progress made in the rehab process. Chubb and Phillips were able to take part in individual work during OTAs and minicamp, although the latter was sidelined for team drills. With plenty of time remaining until Week 1, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques writes both veterans are expected to be back at full strength in time for the regular season.

“Obviously, I went through a lot over the last couple of years, so I felt like I needed to take a little bit of time to regather myself,” Phillips said when addressing his recovery. “It allowed me to come back with a lot more clarity and focus and just motivation. I feel like right now I’m in a really good place. Feeling great obviously physically, but also from a mental standpoint just ready to get after it.”

Chubb accepted a pay cut this offseason, and with no guaranteed salary on his deal beyond 2025 this season will be key in determining his Miami future. The two-time Pro Bowler recorded just 2.5 sacks in eight games upon arrival from Denver when he was traded 2022. During his first full Dolphins campaign, though, Chubb posted 11 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles. His practice window was opened late in the 2024 season, but it was decided he would not be able to reach full strength while rehabbing the ACL tear which ended his 2023 run.

Phillips finds himself as a pending free agent given Miami’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option last spring. The UCLA product is thus one of nine players set to play on the option as things stand. A long-term investment on the part of the Dolphins would be risky given Phillips’ injury history – which dates back to his college days and includes an Achilles tear from 2023 – so his performance will be interesting to monitor this year. At 26, Phillips could form a strong tandem alongside Chop Robinson for the foreseeable future if things go according to plan in his case.

Miami’s first-round pick in 2024, Robinson had a slow start to his rookie campaign but flashed his potential toward the end of the season. He is on the books for at least another three years, but who he will be joined by on the edge past 2025 will depend on how well Chubb and Phillips manage to return to the previous form. In both instances, a clean bill of health in time for September remains the expectation.

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