Jordan Phillips is a prominent American professional football defensive tackle, widely recognized for his impactful presence on the National Football League (NFL) defensive lines across multiple teams. Born on September 21, 1992, Phillips has carved out a decade-long career in professional football, known for his formidable size, strength, and ability to disrupt opposing offenses. His journey through the NFL has included stints with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys, with a notable pattern of returning to the Buffalo Bills for multiple periods throughout his career.
Jordan Phillips Overview
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jordan Phillips |
| Date of Birth | September 21, 1992 |
| Age (as of August 2025) | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight | 341 lb (155 kg) |
| Profession | Professional American Football Player (Defensive Tackle) |
| College | University of Oklahoma (2011–2014) |
| NFL Draft | 2015, Round 2, Pick 52 (Miami Dolphins) |
| Current Team (as of August 2025) | Buffalo Bills (expected to re-sign) |
| Children | Son Malik, Daughter Maya |
| Net Worth (as of 2025) | Approximately $37.1 million |
Early Life and Education of Jordan Phillips
Jordan Phillips was born on September 21, 1992, in Wichita, Kansas, and experienced a challenging childhood that profoundly shaped his resilience and drive. His early years were marked by significant family hardship; his father, George Phillips, was frequently incarcerated, and his mother, Sherry Alford, tragically passed away in a car accident when Jordan was only two years old. Without the opportunity to know his biological mother, Phillips was primarily raised by his grandparents, Willie and Irene Alford, whom he regards as his true parents.
However, another setback occurred when his grandmother, Irene, suffered a stroke, making it difficult for his grandfather, Willie, who was in his 70s, to continue caring for him alone. At the age of 12, Phillips moved in with Kody and Shelley Kinder, who provided a stable environment and instilled discipline that was crucial for his development. This period marked a significant turnaround for Phillips, as he began excelling academically, earning As and Bs for the first time. His journey continued with other families contributing to his upbringing, demonstrating that it “really took a village to raise” him. Later in life, at age 25, Jordan was legally adopted by Shane and Cindy Waggoner, a decision he made specifically to ensure his own son would have grandparents, a connection he cherished.
Phillips attended Circle High School in Towanda, Kansas, where he quickly became a standout multi-sport athlete. He displayed exceptional talent in football, playing nearly every position on the field including lineman, linebacker, fullback, tight end, punter, and kicker. His prowess earned him high praise, with Scout.com rating him a five-star recruit and Rivals.com giving him a four-star rating. Beyond football, he was an all-state performer in basketball and baseball, even throwing a no-hitter in a varsity game as a freshman. For a time, he considered pursuing basketball in college. Ultimately, Phillips committed to the University of Oklahoma to play college football, where he also majored in criminology.
His collegiate career at Oklahoma spanned from 2011 to 2014. After redshirting his freshman year in 2011, he appeared in 12 games in 2012, recording 12 tackles. His sophomore season in 2013 was cut short due to a back injury, limiting him to just four games with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. Phillips made a strong return in 2014, his junior year, where he recorded 31 tackles and two sacks, earning him second-team All-Big 12 honors. Following his junior season, he declared for the 2015 NFL Draft.
Jordan Phillips’s Career
Jordan Phillips’ professional career began when he was selected by the Miami Dolphins as the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. His debut season in 2015 saw him play in 15 games, contributing 19 tackles, two sacks, and four passes defended. He entered the 2018 season as a starting defensive tackle for the Dolphins, but a dip in playing time led to a notable sideline outburst during a Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots. Subsequently, on October 2, 2018, Phillips was waived by the Dolphins.
Just one day later, on October 3, 2018, Phillips was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, marking the first of his multiple stints with the team. He quickly re-signed with the Bills on March 4, 2019, and went on to have a career-defining season. In Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, Phillips sacked Marcus Mariota three times in a 14–7 victory. He emerged as a premier pass rusher for the Bills, accumulating an impressive 9.5 sacks during the 2019 season.
In 2020, Phillips signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. During his time with the Cardinals, he faced significant injury challenges. In 2020, he played nine games, logging 11 tackles and two sacks before being placed on injured reserve in November with a hamstring injury, which he re-aggravated in December, ending his season. The 2021 season also saw him placed on injured reserve at the start, eventually being activated in October, and playing nine games with 20 tackles and three sacks. He was released by the Cardinals on March 16, 2022.
Phillips then returned to the Buffalo Bills for his second stint, signing a one-year deal on March 17, 2022. He played in 12 games in 2022, recording 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks, though his season ended with a torn rotator cuff that required offseason surgery. Despite the injury, he re-signed with the Bills on April 6, 2023. After starting the 2023 season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, he was activated in August and went on to have a productive year, finishing with 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a career-high five passes defensed in 14 games, including nine starts.
The 2024 season saw Phillips briefly with the New York Giants after signing with them in April. However, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys on August 14, 2024. His time with the Cowboys was short-lived, as he was released on November 5, 2024. Phillips subsequently returned to the Buffalo Bills for a third stint in 2024, playing seven regular-season games and three playoff contests. As of August 2025, he visited the Bills and is expected to re-sign with the team, marking his fourth tenure in Buffalo, as the team looks to bolster its defensive line.
Jordan Phillips Personal Life & Family
Jordan Phillips’ personal life is deeply rooted in his unique upbringing and his dedication to his own family. Having overcome a childhood marked by the absence of his biological parents and the loss of his mother at a young age, Phillips was raised by a network of caring individuals. His maternal grandparents, Willie and Irene Alford, provided a loving home, and later, Kody and Shelley Kinder offered a stable environment. The compassion he received from various families culminated in his legal adoption by Shane and Cindy Waggoner when he was 25. This adoption was driven by his desire to ensure his son would have the benefit of grandparents, a connection Phillips cherished and wanted to provide for his own children.
Phillips is a proud father to a son, Malik, and a daughter, Maya. He has openly spoken about his commitment to giving them the fulfilling childhood experiences he missed, including documenting their lives through photography. Phillips has developed a passion for photography, maintaining an Instagram account (@betternotblink) dedicated to his photographic work. Beyond football and family, he enjoys various hobbies, including bowling, in which he once achieved a near-perfect score of 299, and golf. He also majored in criminology during his college years at Oklahoma. Despite his public career, Phillips has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing on his family and passions outside of football.
Awards and Achievements of Jordan Phillips
Jordan Phillips’ career, particularly his college tenure, includes notable recognition for his performance on the field.
- Second-team All-Big 12 (2014)
His professional career statistics, as of Week 15, 2024, highlight his consistent contribution to defensive lines:
- Total tackles: 186
- Sacks: 24.0
- Forced fumbles: 3
- Fumble recoveries: 2
- Pass deflections: 24
- Interceptions: 2
Jordan Phillips Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Jordan Phillips has accumulated significant wealth throughout his decade-long NFL career. His estimated net worth is approximately $37.1 million. His total career earnings through 2025 are reported to be over $40.3 million, reflecting his consistent presence and performance in the league.
For the 2025 season, as he is expected to re-sign with the Buffalo Bills, Phillips is projected to earn a base salary of $1,255,000, with a cap hit of $1,030,000. His income sources primarily stem from his NFL contracts, including base salaries, signing bonuses, and various roster and workout bonuses earned across his tenures with the Dolphins, Bills, Cardinals, Giants, and Cowboys. His ability to secure multi-year deals, such as the three-year, $30 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, has been instrumental in building his financial portfolio.
Legacy and Influence
Jordan Phillips’ legacy in the NFL is characterized by his tenacity, resilience, and consistent impact as a defensive tackle. Despite facing a challenging childhood and significant injuries throughout his professional career, he has maintained a formidable presence on the field. His ability to perform at a high level across multiple teams, particularly his repeated returns to the Buffalo Bills, underscores his value and adaptability in the league. Phillips is known for his disruptive play, capable of both stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback, a skillset that has made him a valuable asset wherever he has played.
Beyond statistics, Phillips has also carved out memorable moments in NFL lore. He was notably the defensive lineman involved in the viral “shocked Aaron Rodgers” meme from the 2021 season, after delivering a hit that left the quarterback with a surprised expression. His “Feed Zeke” celebration with teammate Shaq Lawson during a 2019 game against the Dallas Cowboys also showcased his spirited personality and competitive nature. Off the field, his story of overcoming a difficult upbringing through the support of a “village” of caregivers highlights a powerful message of perseverance and the importance of community. His dedication to providing a stable and loving environment for his own children, inspiring his interest in photography to document their lives, further exemplifies his enduring influence as a role model.
Interesting Facts about Jordan Phillips
- Jordan Phillips’ childhood was profoundly shaped by the passing of his biological mother when he was two and his father’s frequent incarceration, leading him to be raised by his grandparents and later, foster and adoptive families.
- At Circle High School, Phillips was a multi-sport athlete who excelled not only in football, where he played seven different positions, but also in basketball and baseball, even throwing a no-hitter.
- During his college career at Oklahoma, Phillips majored in criminology.
- He was the first player from the University of Oklahoma to be drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft.
- In 2019, while with the Buffalo Bills, he recorded a career-high 9.5 sacks, emerging as a premier pass rusher.
- Phillips was responsible for the hit on Aaron Rodgers that led to the widely circulated “shocked Aaron Rodgers” meme during the 2021 season.
- He has a personal passion for photography and maintains an Instagram account (@betternotblink) dedicated to his landscape and nature photos, inspired by his desire to document his children’s lives.
- Phillips is also an avid bowler and golfer, once bowling a 299, a testament to his competitive spirit.
- His career includes an unusual three previous stints with the Buffalo Bills, and he is expected to sign for a fourth in August 2025.
Controversies
While Jordan Phillips’ career has largely focused on his on-field performance, there have been a couple of instances that garnered attention. In 2018, during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins, Phillips reportedly had an outburst on the sideline regarding his playing time during a Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots. This incident preceded his being waived by the Dolphins shortly thereafter. Additionally, the memorable hit on Aaron Rodgers that resulted in the viral “shocked Aaron Rodgers” meme also drew a roughing the passer penalty against Phillips. These events, while minor, are part of his documented career history.
Social Media Presence
Jordan Phillips actively engages with his audience on social media platforms, providing glimpses into both his professional and personal life. His primary Instagram account is @bigj9797, where he shares updates related to his football career and other aspects of his life. He also manages a separate Instagram account, @betternotblink, dedicated to his passion for photography. While his Instagram presence is established, public Twitter (now X) and YouTube follower counts or official accounts are not prominently cited for the NFL defensive tackle born in 1992 in available credible sources.
Final Words about Jordan Phillips
Jordan Phillips stands as a testament to perseverance and dedication in the demanding world of professional football. From a challenging early life shaped by the resilience of a “village” of caregivers to a decade-long career in the NFL, Phillips has consistently demonstrated his talent and commitment as a defensive tackle. As of August 2025, Phillips is expected to embark on his fourth stint with the Buffalo Bills, underscoring his enduring value and the mutual respect between him and the organization.
His legacy is built on a foundation of hard-hitting play, memorable moments, and the personal journey of overcoming adversity to achieve success and provide for his family. Looking ahead, Phillips continues to be a veteran presence on the defensive line, bringing experience and disruptive force to the game. His story serves as an inspiration, highlighting not just athletic achievement, but also the power of human connection and determination in shaping a fulfilling life, both on and off the football field.
