Patriots Predicted To Target 26-Year-Old Former First-Round Edge Rusher

The outstanding playoff play of New England Patriots edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson has overshadowed what the team’s biggest regular-season weakness was: generating pressure.

According to Pro Football Focus, New England ranked 18th in team PFF pass-rush grade (68.9) and 21st in sack rate (5.8%).

First-year head coach Mike Vrabel did an excellent job building this roster, but there is no denying that the Patriots are missing a marquee pass-rushing threat.

PFF predicts the team will remedy that need this offseason by signing a former division rival.

“Chaisson will test free agency, which could leave the Patriots with an even bigger hole at edge defender,” PFF’s Ryan Smith wrote. “Jaelan Phillips is a splash possibility for a team with a win-now mentality and the necessary cap space.

“Phillips enjoyed a strong 2025 season between Miami and Philadelphia, generating 73 pressures and ranking 22nd out of 110 qualifying edge defenders with a 76.2 PFF pass-rush grade. It was an encouraging showing for a player whose season was cut short both in 2023 and 2024 due to devastating injuries. He would immediately boost Mike Vrabel’s defense.”

Phillips was traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Philadelphia Eagles early in the year. He called the move the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

He struggled to post the sack numbers expected from the 2021 first round selection, but at just 26-years-old expectations are high for the defensive end entering his prime.

Phillips’s rookie contract just expired, and as an unprotected free agent, it will be a bidding war to land him.

PFF projects it would cost $15 million a year to land Phillips, well within New England’s budget.