"How much help does Jalen Hurts need!": NFL fans react as Dolphins trade Jaelan Phillips to Eagles for 2026 draft pick

The Miami Dolphins agreed on Monday to trade edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the Tuesday NFL trade deadline. Phillips, who was drafted by the Dolphins in the first round of 2021, is in the last year of his rookie contract and will continue his career in Philly.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Dolphins will receive a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft in exchange for the player. The pick will be the Eagles' own pick in the draft and not the third-round pick they acquired from the New York Jets in the Hasson Reddick trade.

With Jaelan Phillips coming in, the Eagles have undoubtedly acquired the much-needed reinforcement for their struggling pass rush in a familiar player to the defensive coordinator. For the Miami Dolphins, who have struggled in the last two seasons, the trade signals the long-awaited start of a roster reset.

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The edge rusher is arguably having his best season since arriving in the NFL in 2021, despite the struggles of the Dolphins. In nine games this season, Phillips has recorded 25 tackles, three tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, three sacks and one fumble recovery.

The Jaelan Phillips trade deal has generated a lot of reactions from NFL fans. It marked the third trade acquisition by the Eagles in the last three weeks to address the team's weaknesses, including cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II, and the ninth season in August, showcasing the ambition to retain the Super Bowl.

Here's a look at some of the reactions online:

What Jaelan Phillips offers the Eagles in the bid to retain the Super Bowl

Considering his performance for the Dolphins, Jaelan Phillips is arguably the best player to have been traded in the NFL this season. The edge rusher seems to be fast regaining his best form, which offers quite a lot to the Eagles, following the series of pass-rushing struggles.

Phillips had his breakout 2023 season under the current Eagles defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio. The two will reunite in Philadelphia, where the Eagles desperately need pass-rush reinforcement. The team has undoubtedly missed the service of injured Nolan Smith, as well as the departed Josh Sweat, in the unit.

It’s worth noting that Jaelan Phillips has been plagued by injuries in the last two seasons, appearing in only eight games in 2023 and four in 2024. However, he has stayed healthy in 2025 and has been a standout performer on a Dolphins defense with few highlights.

Edited by Farouk Yusuf