The Jets have a new linchpin on the defensive line.

The Green & White acquired eighth-year player Harrison Phillips from the Minnesota Vikings last week, and though the veteran was initially surprised when he received the news, it didn't take long for him to recognize the unique opportunity on the horizon with the Jets.

"The arrow is pointing up here," Phillips told reporters Monday. "I'm just really hopeful that I can come in and make sure that the arrow continues to point up and do whatever I can to play that part as well."

Throughout his seven years in the league, Phillips, 29, has consistently played his part -- and played it well. The 6-3, 307-pound D-lineman started all 51 regular-season contests with Minnesota from 2022-24, and he also started a wild-card game against the Rams last season. Phillips had the most productive seasons of his career with the Vikings, recording career highs in tackles (92) and sacks (3) in 2023, and career highs in pass defenses (4) and forced fumbles (1) in 2024.

Originally selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Phillips is well acquainted with the Jets, an AFC East rival. Phillips faced the Green & White five times across four seasons -- and during that time, he developed an understanding of the Green & White's fan base and culture.

"I've just known how much this city wants to win," he said. "I've known that for a long time. … You can just feel the optimism amongst the players, the staff, the new wave of people that are coming in here. I'm just really excited. Initial shock, and then once I kind of deciphered and peeled back the layers of the onion, I was like, 'this is going to be a great opportunity.' "

That opportunity will be bolstered by years of valuable NFL experience that Phillips now brings to his third NFL team. But for HC Aaron Glenn, the addition of the veteran means more than just a boost in on-field production.

"First off, he's one of us," Glenn said. "His mentality, the character -- and I'm talking about on and off the field. He's a damn good run stopper. I remember going against him all those years I was in Detroit. Actually, when he was a free agent, he was a guy we tried to target for us to get ready to sign, but obviously he ended signing up back with Minnesota. But everything about him fits who we are, so I'm happy that we got him."

The elite run stopper will reunite with another familiar face in Jets' defensive line coach Eric Washington, whom he worked with for two seasons in Buffalo. Phillips will aim to bring physicality to a defense featuring "young players with a lot of flash," but he believes his greatest contribution will be something that won't appear on his stat sheet.

"I think one of the qualities that I can bring to a defensive line room is the intellectual side of the game," he said. "Oftentimes, I am able to anticipate a play before it happens or repeat formations. So, if I see a personnel group in or something that I've seen before, I can let the guy next to me know. … Some of those things allow players to play a little faster, a little more free."

While he hopes to mentor younger players, Phillips is also eager to play alongside fellow veteran DL Quinnen Williams, the Jets' first-round draft pick in 2019. The former AFC East rivals have developed mutual respect over the years and will now look to elevate each other's game.

"I was super excited," Williams said of Phillips joining the team. "I've been a fan of his for a little minute. The things that he's done at Buffalo and the things that he's done at the Vikings with that successful defense. … I was super excited to bring him in and teach us some things, teach me some things and to help this defense be what we know it can be."

On his first day in the building for practice, Phillips has already bought into the culture Glenn is building. Not only is he confident the Jets have the foundational players necessary to start building success, but he believes Glenn has the "blueprint of how it's done" after watching him operate in Detroit. Now a member of a revamped Jets defensive line that also features newcomer Jowon Briggs, Phillips doesn't plan on waiting around to chase big accomplishments.

"I would say that this is a win-now mindset," he said. "We are a great football team. I think that's been clear from the time that I got here and just looking up and down the roster. … Every season is completely different, and you need to find ways of how you all come together. It's not always the most talented team that wins football games. I think it's the most connected team that wins football games.

"A lot of those same franchise cornerstone pieces are still here. They deserve the right to say they're ready to win."