New OLB Jaelan Phillips bringing intensity to Panthers' OTAs

Carolina Panthers right guard Rob Hunt warned everyone.

Don't slack off against the new outside linebacker.

Jaelan Phillips generally only goes half-speed on Fridays. Unless specifically coached, the Panthers' highest-paid player in franchise history is known for bringing game-line intensity to practices.

Hunt knows first-hand. A former teammate with the Miami Dolphins, Hunt reflected on what it was like to go against a younger Phillips in the summer months in Miami.

"I'll give you a little story," Hunt said after Tuesday's offseason-training activities (OTAs) practice, via Panthers.com. "We were getting ready to go out. And we always start with a walk-through. And we were all like, 'It's a walk-through. Take your time. It's a walk-through, be smart.' 

"And Jaelan said, 'Yeah, it's walk-through.' And then I was like, 'Well, he's the one, guys. If there's anybody that's going to change the tempo, it's going to be him.

"And he was like, 'Yeah, it's me.'

"And it is him."

Panthers' OLB Jaelan Phillips adds OTAs spice 

The Panthers need him.

Unable to generate a constant pass rush, the back end of their 3-4 base defense has often been exposed over the past three seasons. In 2023, the team lacked top-end talent and suffered from front-office dysfunction, finishing 2-15. Injuries to several key defenders, including Pro Bowler Derrick Brown, led to the defense yielding an NFL all-time-worst 534 points in '24. With Brown back last season, the Panthers captured the NFC South pennant, but finished 8-9 and fell in a Wild Card matchup.

With 30 team sacks, the Panthers finished in a tie for 30th last season.

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan invested $120 million in Phillips on the first day of free agency. He ranked fourth with an 18.8 percent rush rate. He doesn't always get to the quarterback, but it's rarely because of effort.

"He's been that way since the day I met him," Hunt said. "He only knows one speed. And I told everybody when we got him that he's who you want on your team. He's never going to change who he is. He's going to go full speed. So from today, from now, from first day until we're done playing. So, you gotta love what Jaelan stands for."

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