Jets Bolster Defensive Line, Acquire Harrison Phillips in Trade with Vikings

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (August 21, 2025) - To strengthen a weak position, the New York Jets agreed to trade for veteran nose tackle Harrison Phillips from the Minnesota Vikings. The deal is pending the 29-year-old’s physical. New York will trade sixth-round draft picks for 2026 and 2027 to Minnesota. In return, they will get Phillips and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

The deal marks the Jets’ second upgrade on the defensive front in less than 24 hours. On Wednesday, New York traded with the Cleveland Browns for defensive tackle Jowon Briggs. They gave up a 2026 sixth-round pick and got back a 2026 seventh-rounder. Phillips will likely start next to Quinnen Williams in the base 4-3 front. This gives the Jets a solid run-stuffer to support their rising edge rushers.

Under the Vikings’ extension before the 2024 season, Phillips has a $7.4 million base salary for 2025. Minnesota will pay $3.7 million of that amount, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, easing the cap hit for New York. Phillips was a third-round pick for the Buffalo Bills in 2018. He started all 51 regular-season games and both playoff games for Minnesota over the last three seasons. In 2023, he achieved a career-high of 92 tackles. Now, he’s known as one of the top interior run defenders in the league.

The Vikings signed Phillips through 2026. They decided to let go of their longtime team captain after adding top free agents Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They also built depth with rookies on the defensive line. Minnesota’s decision highlights a change in strategy. The club is now mixing veteran leadership with new talent.

Training camp is here, and the regular season is less than a month away. The Jets’ front office is focused on quickly addressing roster weaknesses. Phillips is set to make a big impact right away. He will boost New York’s run defense and bring valuable veteran leadership to the locker room.