Through the spring and summer, we will be counting down the Jets roster player by player. We begin the series by discussing Harrison Phillips.
Name: Harrison Phillips
Number: 97
Year With Jets: 2nd
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Projected Role: Run stopping defensive tackle and locker room leader
His 2025: The Jets acquired Phillips in a late summer trade with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal was made in tandem with the acquisition of Jowon Briggs as the Jets attempted to rebuild their defensive tackle group on the fly. Not much went right for the Jets in 2025, but their end of training camp defensive tackle moves largely panned out. Briggs improved through the course of the season, and Phillips was a steady presence in the middle of the defensive line. He also by many accounts was a solid locker room presence on a young team.
His 2026 will be a success if: Phillips keeps playing effective football. He is never going to be a a guy who fills up a stat sheet. Phillips is a guy who does the dirty work to help others look good. He handles that job professionally. He is also a positive influence. I don’t think the Jets had enough guys like Phillips on the team last year.
The Jets were fairly active adding players on the interior this offseason. That made me think Phillips’ days might be numbered. He carries a $7 million cap hit, which is hefty for a part time, run stopping defensive tackle. The Jets could cut him and get the full cap savings with zero dead money. It seems like the plan right now is for Phillips to stay. While he is on the expensive side for a rotational, run stopping lineman the Jets can afford it. That cap hit could still be a bit of a liability. If a young, cheap tackle surprises the team in camp, it isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility the Jets could move on and pocket the savings. It’s much more likely, though, that Philips remains with the team and provides steadiness on the field and in the locker room.
Odds of making the roster: Most Likely (75-99%)
