The Dallas Cowboys will be in the market for an edge rusher over the offseason to replace Micah Parsons, but they’re being urged to avoid one particular player.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of pending NFL free agents that teams should avoid in 2026, and linebacker Jaelan Phillips was included on the list.
Cowboys urged to avoid Jaelan Phillips in free agency
Phillips had a solid season in 2025 as he appeared in all 17 games and tallied 53 combined tackles, 14 QB hits, seven tackles for a loss and five sacks split between his time with the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles.
However, his recent career prior to the ’25 campaign was marred by injury issues and unavailability. He played in just four total games for Miami in 2024 and only eight the year before that, though he did play in all 17 games during his first two seasons in the league.
Overall though, Kay doesn’t think that Phillips is worth the risk of a big-money contract.
“Jaelan Phillips has been one of the more polarizing talents in the NFL ever since he was drafted on Day 1 in 2021. While he's an immense athlete who can blow by blockers with ease, he's been maddeningly inconsistent and prone to injury,” Kay wrote.
“… While teams always need more talent on the edge to combat the elite quarterbacks consistently winning championships in the modern era, Phillips could set a franchise back significantly if he doesn't continue playing at the same level he displayed in Philly.”
Phillips has expressed a desire to return to Philadelphia in free agency, but it remains to be seen if that will happen, as the Eagles could potentially look to allocate their salary cap space elsewhere.
Given his injury history, signing Phillips could be a risk, but he’s also still just 26 years old and has 28 career sacks to his name. So he’s a high-upside risk, at least. Someone will certainly sign him. It will be interesting to see who, and for how much.
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