Panthers

Jaelan Phillips signs $120M deal: Can the Panthers count on his health?

Pass rusher Jaelan Phillips signs a $120M deal with the Carolina Panthers, but his history of Achilles and ACL injuries raises questions.

Vincent Carchietta

Jennifer Bubel

Sports Journalist, AS USA

Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.

Update: Mar 9th, 2026 13:34 EDT

The Carolina Panthers have officially landed one of the top pass rushers on the market from the Philadelphia Eagles, agreeing to a four-year, $120 million contract with Jaelan Phillips. While the deal makes Phillips one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL, there are some concerns about whether he’ll be able to stay healthy.

The #Panthers are signing #Eagles edge Jaelan Phillips, who gets a 4-year, $120M deal. Big time edge help. pic.twitter.com/F7mkimIEJH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026

After two major injuries, can Jaelan Phillips stay healthy in Carolina?

Phillips has flashed elite pass-rushing ability throughout his career. Over five NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, he’s played in 63 games, recording 205 tackles, 32 for a loss, 28 sacks, and his 35 total pressures in 2025 alone rank him among the top edge defenders for pressure rate.

Despite these impressive numbers, Phillips’ career has been interrupted by major injuries. In 2023, he suffered from a torn Achilles, limiting him to just 12 games over a two-year span. And in 2024, he tore his ACL and ended the season early.

Even in Philadelphia, while he managed five sacks and 35 pressures across nine games, the limited snaps highlighted how injuries have affected his availability.

The $120M investment: high-risk, high-reward

The Panthers’ massive commitment includes:

$30M average per year (AAV)
$80M in guaranteed money
Four-year term with a potential maximum of $120M

While Phillips’ skill set could immediately transform Carolina’s league-worst pass rush from 2025, the contract represents a significant financial risk if his injury history continues to be a factor.

For comparison, other top edge rushers like Maxx Crosby, who signed a five-year, $140 million extension with the Ravens ($28M AAV), and Rashan Gary, who signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Cowboys ($18M AAV), were both coming off healthier seasons, making Phillips’ four-year, $120 million agreement ($30M AAV) with Carolina a significantly more aggressive investment.

If Phillips stays on the field, Carolina could see instant improvements in pressure rate, sacks, and overall defensive performance. If not, the Panthers could face a costly contract that doesn’t deliver the expected impact.

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