When it comes to making trades, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman does his extensive homework, which is exactly why many of his deals have worked out in his favor.
After trading the Miami Dolphins a 2026 third-round pick for pass rusher Jaelan Phillips this week, Roseman broke down the reasons they went after him over others available on the trading block.
“All these guys, the process starts with college, you know, and we spent a lot of time with him coming out of college, knowing the person it’s it’s really easy to scout the player, really,” Roseman said before breaking down his skillsets.
“He’s got freak ability. He can rush, he can set the edge. He can play in space. He’s got a non-stop motor. I think one of the most fun things to do is put on his tape and watch his effort, you know, and when you have the athleticism and the physical ability he has, with the effort he has, and then, you know, just going and seeing that he was Walter Payton Man of the Year in Miami, the things that he does in the community, you know, he comes from unbelievable family, and then obviously, Vic was with him, you know.”
Vic Fangio made the trade for Jaelan Phillips much easier
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spent one season with Phillips in Miami, though the former 2021 first-round pick only played eight games under him before tearing his Achilles.
Despite not playing a full season under Fangio, Roseman pointed out that a coach having a sense of familiarity certainly helps their case.
“So a lot of times when you’re talking to your coaches, and you have a vision of how the player is going to fit, you have to have those discussions,” Roseman continued. “But that discussion was really easy with Coach Fangio. And I think that it was just for us, where we are as a team, what we believe in is important to winning a world championship and to being a great team. It really wasn’t a hard trade to make.”
Roseman didn’t dive deep into this part, but aside from his staff having familiarity with the player, it also helps that the Eagles got a deal of having to pay just $1.5 million of the rest of Phillips’ 2025 salary while Miami converted the other $5.1 million into a signing bonus.
