Jodan Phillips is another of the eight pending free agent defensive linemen for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have 14 total defensive players that will potentially hit the free agent market; however, at least a couple of them have mentioned maybe entering retirement. Phillips is one of those, along with Micah Hyde.
Phillips is 31 years old and turns 32 in September. That's not that old but he's battled through several injuries throughout his career, and he may have played his last game in the NFL as a result. He's been a great addition to the Bills, but it may be time for Buffalo to move on regardless of if Phillips decides to return to the league in 2024. The Bills need to get younger up front.
Per Pro Football Focus, Phillips played 389 snaps in 2023, totaling only nine solo tackles and three assists. He added nine stops and 19 total pressures, including three sacks. His PFF grade of 35.8 was by far the lowest of his career.
Phillips 2023 contract paid him $2.895 million, so I don't see a new contract being more than that and likely would be less. With so many defensive linemen pending free agency for the Bills, is it possible they bring him back, if he wants to, simply for cheap depth? Maybe, and maybe he could return to levels of the prior seasons.
The Buffalo Bills need to get younger along the defensive line. Many of the players are currently pending free agents and the Bills need to let a lot of them go. It's time to focus on getting younger through the draft but there are a few linemen that could be available in free agency that are still in their 20s. That said, I'd like to see new blood via the draft and see what new defensive line coach Marcus West can do with new, young talent.