Eagles' Jaelan Phillips receives 'monster' contract update from NFL writer

When the Philadelphia Eagles traded for Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins at midseason, they were always going to have a way out.

Phillips' contract expires at the end of this season, so if the Eagles didn't get a player they felt like keeping, it would be a non-issue.

Now, though, there's pretty much no way the Eagles would let Phillips leave.

He's been that good since he arrived in Philly.

The Ringer's Austin Gayle ranks Phillips as his No. 3 free agent in the upcoming offseason among all positions, and he expects the Eagles to do what they can to retain him.

"A healthy Phillips could be one of the league’s best edge defenders," Gayle writes. "He is a big name on this list, but he isn’t going anywhere. He’s a candidate to receive the franchise tag if he and the Eagles can’t agree on terms for what will likely be a monster extension."

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Phillips has been living at the quarterback since joining the Eagles.

"Phillips can blow through and by tackles, and he often manhandles tight ends into the backfield when given the opportunity," Gayle writes. "He’s tied for fourth in total pressures (41) since joining the Eagles in Week 10."

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The Eagles had dealt with a lot of turnover on the defensive side of the ball heading into this season, which made defending their Super Bowl title tougher.

But the acquisition of Phillips has made up for a lot of what's missing, and he has Philadelphia's defense looking strong again as the postseason approaches.

At this point, expect Phillips in Philly green for years to come.

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