The Carolina Panthers know exactly who they want in free agency. They made an offer that was prohibitive to everyone else.
The Panthers made one of the surprise signings during the NFL’s free agency period on Monday, signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. It wouldn’t be a surprise for Phillips to be popular, or that the Panthers are in the market for one of the top rushers in free agency. But the price is shocking.
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According to ESPN, the Panthers signed Phillips to a four-year, $120 million contract that includes $80 million guaranteed. There are only six edge backs in the NFL with contracts worth more than $30 million, including some of the best players in the league: Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, TJ Watt, Danielle Hunter, Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa.
Phillips is a good player, but in terms of his career accomplishments, it’s hard to put him in that group. He has never had more than 8.5 sacks in a season, and his 8.5 sack season came in 2021 when he was a rookie. He had 19.5 sacks in the next four seasons. Injuries have hampered Phillips, but they’re another reason why the Panthers’ contract is too high. Phillips will only play in 12 games combined in 2023 and 2024, but he played in 17 games between the Dolphins and Eagles last season. Phillips suffered a torn Achilles tendon in 2023 and a torn ACL in 2024.
Phillips won’t be 27 until next season, so he’s still in his prime. He’s a respected, productive player capable of having a double-digit sack season with the Panthers. Carolina needs someone on the edge to help improve a defense that did improve last season but is still average.
Players are not the problem. Philips is still good and the price is unbelievable. Surprisingly, Phillips is now one of the highest-paid players in the entire NFL. Pass rushers cost money. The Panthers spent a lot of money to achieve their goals.
grade: C-