CHARLOTTE — Jaelan Phillips has a lot going on in his life at the moment. His first child's on the way, and his family's about to move to a new city, so there are a lot of unknowns.
And the one thing he's certain about is last week's decision to sign with the Panthers.
The newest Panthers outside linebacker met with reporters on Monday and said his rapid-fire courtship with the Panthers felt right immediately.
He said he felt like his previous team — the Eagles, who traded for him midseason last year — were going to make a push to retain him. But he was blown away when the Panthers approached him Monday with their offer, which he accepted within the first hour of free agency.
"They definitely did want me to come back, and that's something I knew after the season that they were going to be making a push," Phillips said of the Eagles. "But ultimately, the Panthers just came with a more attractive offer.
"And, clearly, that just shows the belief they have in me, and the belief they have in their team. They're willing to invest in pieces to try to take this team to the next level. So, yeah, it came down to it, but ultimately it was kind of a no-brainer to come to the Panthers."
As he did earlier in the day during an appearance on "Good Morning Football," Phillips stressed the improvements across the board, after the Panthers went from two wins to five to eight, and won the NFC South last year.
"I think that what the team was able to accomplish last year was extremely impressive," Phillips said. "And I think everybody kind of recognized the organization as a contender and somebody, a team that's up and coming. I think that Dan (Morgan, Panthers general manager) did an awesome job of who he signed, and I'm just excited to come in and contribute to what the team was already doing in the upwards trajectory of what the organization was doing."
Along with linebacker Devin Lloyd, Phillips adds some immediate credibility to a defense that made significant strides last year. After they ranked 32nd in the league in both points and yards allowed in 2023, they were 15th and 16th in those categories this year.
Getting a pass-rusher of Phillips' level will be a significant step, as the Panthers ranked 28th in the league with 30.0 sacks last season. He had 28.0 sacks in his first five seasons and 5.0 last year, but he was among the league's top 10 in pressure rate.
When asked to describe his game, Phillips replied: "Max effort, tenacious, disruptive."
"I think that I still have room to grow, obviously as a pass rusher, and just turning all that disruption into production. I think that's kind of the next step in my career, but at the bare minimum, I'm a disruptive force. I go out there with max effort, with huge heart. I'm a team guy, and I just try to bring my teammates along with me."
View photos as the Panthers welcome their newly signed free agents to Carolina. Players had the opportunity to tour Bank of America Stadium with loved ones after signing.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Jaelen Phillips on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Devin Lloyd on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Kenneth Pickett on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Luke Fortner on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign Stone Forsythe on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign players Rasheed Walker on Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign players Rasheed Walker on Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign players Rasheed Walker on Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign players Rasheed Walker on Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign players Rasheed Walker on Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign John Metchie on Monday, Mar. 16, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign John Metchie on Monday, Mar. 16, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign John Metchie on Monday, Mar. 16, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers sign John Metchie on Monday, Mar. 16, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
