Sportsnaut
Despite bringing back Brandon Graham, the Philadelphia Eagles are still looking for help at edge rusher ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. And according to one NFL insider, they’re eyeing talent in the AFC East to address the need.
The Eagles have been depleted at the position with injuries to Nolan Smith, Azeez Ojulari and Ogbo Okoronkwo. Za’Darius Smith surprisingly retired in early October, just a month after signing with Philadelphia, forcing the team to lure Graham out of retirement.
General manager Howie Roseman already addressed his cornerback issue by trading for Michael Carter II from the New York Jets. Now he’s looking at the Jets and Miami Dolphins to add another edge rusher.
“The Eagles need an edge rusher and asked the Jets about Jermaine Johnson,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports. “It makes sense, considering former Jets GM Joe Douglas drafted him in New York and is now Philly’s senior personnel director.”
The Jets, however, have held a high asking price of a second-round pick or better. Russini added that the Eagles have checked in with the Dolphins on Jaelan Phillips.
The Eagles have inquired about two AFC East pass rushers: Miami's Jaelan Phillips and New York's Jermaine Johnson.
Philadelphia remains interested in adding a pass rusher ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline.https://t.co/udXsXx4RTR pic.twitter.com/VT2RjlbbfX
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 1, 2025
Johnson, who made the Pro Bowl in 2023, previously told ESPN’s Rich Cimini that he received “clarity” from the Jets front office that he won’t be moved, but that may no longer be the case with Russini’s report. In five games after missing three weeks with an ankle injury, the 26-year-old former first-round pick has one sack, one pass deflection, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits.
Phillips, the 18th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, has three sacks, three tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits and one fumble recovery this season for the Dolphins.
The Eagles are on a bye week before facing the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 11 in their Week 10 “Monday Night Football” matchup.
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