Jaelan Phillips could unlock Nic Scourton for Carolina Panthers in this simple way
The Carolina Panthers feel like they have acquired a game-changer in Jaelan Phillips.
Among the reasons why:
Phillips is expected to be the kind of talent who can accumulate sacks and pressures at will.
He’s projected to be a do-it-all player who might just be perfect in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s system.
And perhaps most interestingly, the just-turned-27-year-old has been touted as someone who can unlock others around him — who can provide a tide that lifts every aspect of this defense.
As far as that last point goes, second-year outside linebacker Nic Scourton is a true believer.
“He’s just ridiculous,” Scourton told reporters after an OTA session, speaking on Phillips. He shrugged. “I break down his tape a lot because I want to see who I’m rushing (with).”
Scourton finished the 2025 season as one of the team’s most impactful playmakers. His feel for the game yielded him 47 tackles and a team-second-most seven tackles for loss. His raw talent yielded him five sacks — tied for most on the team. The 21-year-old Texas A&M star hopes to make another leap in 2026 — and thinks Phillips can help him do so in one simple way above the rest.
“I think more opportunities for one-on-one pass rush,” Scourton said.
It’s true that while Scourton didn’t have the gaudiest raw stats, offenses treated him like a premier threat. According to Pro Football Focus, Scourton finished the regular season with 338 pass rushes, and he was double-teamed on 34.62% (117) of them. He was even triple-teamed on 2.96% (10) of them.
But with Phillips on the other side, other offenses won’t be able to do that as much. They can’t afford to. Phillips had a Top 10 pass-rush win rate according to PFF. He was double-teamed around the same amount of times as Scourton in 2025 — 30% (114) of the time on 380 pass rushes.
Scourton also said last week that he’s developed several other aspects of his game — most of which will dovetail nicely alongside the Panthers’ newly reloaded defensive front. That includes dropping back in coverage, though Scourton admitted with a smile that while he’s comfortable covering running backs and tight ends, he’s “no Jaycee Horn or anything.” That includes his interior pass rush, too, which he was asked to do a few times in third-and-long situations in 2025 when the Panthers employed their speed rush package.
Scourton said that having versatile Pat Jones II — who was out most of last year with a back injury — and Phillips on the team helps in the interior pass rush regard.
“I’m very comfortable rushing in there,” Scourton said of playing inside. “And I think those guys are too. So we can play with it. Sometimes Pat wants to get his rushes outside with his matchup. I’ll take mine inside. Same with Jaelan. It really just depends on who we’re going against, or what those guys want. But we’re all ready.”
Not to mention, Scourton spent most of his summer enhancing his pass rush, working with defensive superstar Micah Parson’s trainer in Texas. He wanted to perfect his pass-rushing lines, get “better hands.” He also “loves his guys” in the EDGE room. And that means everyone: Jones, who will be coming off a season-ending back injury; Princely Umanmielen, Scourton’s draft classmate; Thomas Incoom, who he’s effusive about; Trevis Gipson; a gift of an acquisition in the middle of last year; newly signed Nick Hampton, who he shouted out last week.
But the player we’re all curious to hear about from Scourton is Phillips.
And Phillips has already made quite the impression on Scourton.
“Jaelan, he’s so strong mentally,” Scourton said. “A great leader. He’s been around for a little minute. I say in terms of ball, though, obviously we’re different archetypes. He’s 6-foot-5; I’m 6-3. But really it’s his set-line. He gets up on guys quick with those long strides. He can power you; he can go inside; he can go outside.”
He can do anything, Scourton said — which should benefit Phillips himself, and also everyone else.
This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Jaelan Phillips could unlock Nic Scourton for Carolina Panthers in this simple way."
