Vic Fangio Sends Clear Message on New Eagles LB Jaelan Phillips
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Veteran pass rusher Jaelan Phillips enjoyed a strong debut with the Eagles in Monday's 10-7 win over the Packers.
Jaelan Phillips is making quite the impression on his new Eagles teammates and coaches.
The 26-year-old linebacker was all over the field in his Philadelphia debut Monday night, recording two quarterback hits, six pressures, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery in a 10-7 victory over the Packers.
As the Eagles head home to face the Lions in Week 10, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio remains in awe of his team’s newest weapon, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Dolphins.
“He plays hard,” Fangio said. “He’s strong at the point, a good pass rusher. When you shop at Nordstrom’s, you get good stuff.”
Fangio Has Familiarity With Eagles New LB
Phillips is no stranger to playing for Fangio. In 2023 with Miami, Phillips recorded 6.5 sacks in eight games before tearing his Achilles. Fangio joined the Eagles the following season and was instrumental in leading the team to a victory in Super Bowl LIX.
Needing help at pass rusher, the Eagles traded a 2026 third-round pick before the Nov. 4 deadline to reunite Phillips with his old coordinator.
Just one game in, it looks like a wise investment. The Eagles held the Packers to 261 total yards and just one scoring drive. Green Bay’s only points came with 5:49 left on a Josh Jacobs 6-yard run.
Philadelphia has won three straight and sits comfortably atop the NFC East at 7-2.
Eagles Address Need for Pass Rushers
Phillips is in the final year of his contract, and because of his lengthy injury history and their difficult start, the Dolphins were apparently hesitant to commit to him long-term.
The fifth-year veteran had 25 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery in nine games with Miami this season, the final year of his rookie deal.
The Eagles rank 18th in total defense (327.9 yards allowed per game) but have the fifth-fewest sacks in the NFL with 19.
In addition to trading for Phillips, the Eagles coaxed veteran pass rusher Brandon Graham out of retirement. The 37-year-old Graham, who is third in franchise history in sacks (76.5) and first in games played (277), made his season debut against the Packers in a limited role. He did not record any stats.
Commanders new stadium update gives fans something to be excited about
The Washington Commanders' 2025 season couldn't be more of a dud. After the excitement of making it to the NFC Championship just a season ago, injuries have gotten the best of the Commanders. Those injuries are a major reason why they are currently on a five-game losing streak, sit at 3-7, and are well out of the playoff picture.
While much of the focus has been on trying to figure out how to fix things moving forward for the Commanders, news dropped that they have officially found and partnered with an architecture firm to lead the building of the team's new stadium at the old RFK Stadium grounds.
In a press release, the Commanders announced they have tabbed HKS as the lead architect for the next home of the franchise.
Commanders Tab HKS as Lead Architect for New Stadium
It took many hoops to jump through for the Commanders to get to this point, but after receiving approval by the city, it was full steam ahead on bringing the team back to their rightful home in the Nation's Capital.
The partnership is expected to be a great marriage. The $2.7 billion investment in the District will be huge for the city, utilizing the 180 acres at the old RFK site to be transformed into a year-round event space for sports, entertainment, housing, and recreation.
HSK is a well-renowned architecture firm, bringing expertise in designing iconic venues such as SoFi Stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium, and AT&T Stadium (Jerry's World).
"Selecting HKS as the lead architect marks a major step forward in our journey to bring the Washington Commanders home to the District," said Mark Clouse, President, Washington Commanders. "HKS has a proven track record of delivering world-class stadiums that balance design, functionality and community impact. This partnership underscores our shared vision to create a stadium that enhances the fan experience, strengthens our connection with the community, and sets a new standard for the future of sports and entertainment--delivering an exceptional experience that will serve our team, our fans, and the District for decades to come."
It is a revolutionary period for the Commanders, and they are hopeful that HKS will help them achieve their goal of getting the franchise in their new stadium by the 2030 season.
