The NFL free agency negotiation window opens Monday at 12 p.m. ET. As always, there was an immediate burst of activity. The Carolina Panthers wasted no time in writing a big check, the largest ever.
Weeks earlier, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan had acknowledged that the team would consider signing former Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, who was recently released by the Dolphins. The Panthers didn't end up signing Chubb (though they still could), Carolina simply added one of his former teammates who may ultimately be even better than Chubb.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are signing edge rusher Jalen Phillips to a four-year, $120 million contract. The 6-foot-5, 266-pound Phillips was traded from Miami to Philadelphia in exchange for a third-round pick, but he now leaves the Eagles after just eight games with the team.
Phillips, 26, arrived with the Dolphins as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He's still trying to top the 8.5 sacks he recorded as a rookie, but he's also recovered from two season-ending injuries, including a torn Achilles, in 2023.
Last season, Phillips recorded 53 tackles (7 TFL), five sacks, two fumble recoveries and four pass deflections in 17 starts. Now he'll look to build on those numbers in Carolina, where he'll join a front seven that includes Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown to help eat up blockers in the middle of the defense.
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