Panthers make high-risk splash with Jaelan Phillips signing

New Panthers EDGE rusher Jaelan Phillips is NFL free agency's boom-or-bust player

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Carolina Panthers have signed EDGE Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million contract, giving them one of the league's best pass rushers. While Phillips' sack total was only 5.0 last season, he finished top 10 in the NFL with 73 pressures and 5th in hurries with 57. The Panthers are betting that Phillips' ability to disrupt the pocket and force quarterbacks to step up will complement their star DT Derrick Brown. However, the deal carries significant risk as Phillips has missed time in two of the last three seasons due to major injuries.

Why it matters

This signing is a bold move by the Panthers to address their biggest weakness on defense - the lack of a consistent pass rush off the edge. By pairing Phillips with Brown, the Panthers hope to create a dominant one-two punch that can collapse the pocket from both sides. However, Phillips' injury history makes this a high-risk, high-reward move that could define the Panthers' near-term future.

The details

Despite only 5.0 sacks in 2025, Phillips finished top 10 in the NFL with 73 pressures and 5th in hurries with 57. His 17.7% pressure rate was on par with Micah Parsons. The Panthers believe Phillips' ability to disrupt the pocket will complement DT Derrick Brown's interior pass rush, creating a formidable pass rush duo. However, Phillips missed the 2023 season with a torn Achilles and was on IR in 2024 with a partially torn ACL, making his long-term health a major concern.

  • In 2023, Phillips missed the entire season due to a torn Achilles.
  • In 2024, Phillips was on IR for part of the season with a partially torn ACL.
  • In 2025, Phillips played a full 16-game season and finished top 10 in the NFL in pressures.

The players

Jaelan Phillips

A 24-year-old EDGE rusher who has shown disruptive pass rushing ability but has struggled with injuries in his young career.

Derrick Brown

One of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL, playing for the Carolina Panthers.

Nic Scourton

A 2nd round rookie pass rusher for the Carolina Panthers.

Brian Burns

A former Panthers EDGE rusher who was traded away, known for gaudy sack numbers but less consistent pressure generation.

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What’s next

The Panthers will be closely monitoring Jaelan Phillips' health and performance throughout the 2026 season to see if this high-risk signing pays off.

The takeaway

This signing is a bold move by the Panthers to address their biggest defensive weakness, but it comes with significant risk due to Phillips' injury history. If he can stay healthy and continue disrupting the pocket, it could transform the Panthers' defense. But if the injuries persist, it could be a costly mistake that sets the franchise back.