Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox floated a scenario in which Howie Roseman could further overhaul the edge group by pursuing New York Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II. In Knox’s plan, Philadelphia would send a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Jets, a move framed as a bargain given Johnson’s looming fifth-year option.
Johnson would carry a 2026 fifth-year option of about $13.6 million, a price tag Knox argues is attractive for a player with upside. Johnson’s value is tempered by a torn Achilles in 2024 and a reduced 2025 output, but at 27 years old and two years removed from the injury, a change of scenery could unlock fresh potential.
Meanwhile, the Eagles could opt to keep pursuing dynamic edge play rather than rely solely on Phillips. Knox suggests the team might consider adding Johnson before finalizing a longer-term plan, especially given the Jets’ pending obligation for the draft pick and Philadelphia’s history of prioritizing pass rush talent.
Phillips’ impact in Philadelphia has been tangible in a short window. In eight regular-season games for the Eagles, he totaled 2.0 sacks, four tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback pressures, numbers that project toward a lucrative extension if he maintains production.
If Johnson rebounds as a high-upside edge, an extension could be on the table for him as well. Spotrac’s projections cited by Knox place a potential four-year contract around $73.8 million, underscoring how a favorable return from Johnson could shape the Eagles’ long-term edge strategy.
Overall, the Eagles remain focused on strengthening edge depth with a blend of current production and future upside, leveraging trades and potential extensions to balance present needs with 2026 free-agent considerations.
