Panthers Sign Edge Rusher Jaelan Phillips to $120M Deal

After landing the top free agent pass rusher, the Panthers must now target these key positions in the NFL Draft.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Carolina Panthers made a surprise move in free agency, signing former Eagles outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips to a 4-year, $120 million contract with $80 million guaranteed. This gives the Panthers a premier pass rusher to pair with their strong secondary. Now that the pass rush is addressed, the team must turn its attention to the NFL Draft and target positions like inside linebacker and tight end.

Why it matters

The Phillips signing fills a major need for the Panthers on defense, but they still have holes to address, especially at linebacker and tight end. Strengthening those positions through the draft will be crucial for the team to take the next step and become a true contender in the NFC.

The details

The Panthers landed Phillips, who was projected to re-sign with the Eagles, by offering him a massive 4-year, $120 million contract with $80 million guaranteed. This gives the Panthers a dominant pass rusher to pair with their strong secondary led by cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. With the pass rush taken care of, the Panthers can now focus on upgrading their linebacker corps and finding a playmaking tight end in the draft.

  • The Panthers signed Jaelan Phillips on March 9, 2026.

The players

Jaelan Phillips

A former outside linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillips is now the Panthers' premier pass rusher after signing a 4-year, $120 million contract.

Jaycee Horn

A starting cornerback for the Panthers, Horn is part of the team's strong secondary.

Mike Jackson

A starting cornerback for the Panthers, Jackson is part of the team's strong secondary.

CJ Allen

A linebacker prospect from the University of Georgia who is projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Kenyon Sadiq

A tight end prospect from the University of Oregon who was a standout at the NFL Combine.

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What’s next

The Panthers will look to address their needs at inside linebacker and tight end in the upcoming NFL Draft, with prospects like CJ Allen and Kenyon Sadiq as potential targets.

The takeaway

The Panthers have made a big splash in free agency by signing Jaelan Phillips, but they still have work to do to round out their roster. Focusing on upgrading the linebacker corps and finding a playmaking tight end in the draft will be crucial for the team to take the next step and become a true contender in the NFC.