Los Angeles Chargers: Adrian Phillips gets chance to build off terrific 2018 season with team
By Travis Wakeman
As many expected, the Los Angeles Chargers have decided to bring back Adrian Phillips.
Phillips signed a one-year deal with the team on Friday. Though re-signing Phillips was a move the Chargers should have made, they certainly took their sweet time in making it official.
After the team moved on from Jahleel Addae, it left Phillips, Derwin James, Jaylen Watkins and Rayshawn Jenkins as the only safeties on the team. If the Chargers choose not to make any other moves at the position, it’s likely that Phillips will be in the starting lineup next season.
He is coming off what was easily his best season in the league, one which landed him in the Pro Bowl for his play on special teams. He had 65 tackles, one interception and one sack during the regular season and also put forth a great effort in the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens,
Not bad for a guy who has been cut by the team eight different times.
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The Chargers may look to the draft for more help at safety, but there is no doubt that Phillips has a place on the defense. He seems to thrive in Gus Bradley’s system and if he can improve upon his 2018 campaign, look out.
Phillips will turn 27 years old in a couple of weeks, but he still has plenty of football left in him. This will be his second one-year contract in a row, but it gives him the chance to develop further in what could be an even better defense than last year.
Playing the linebacker-safety hybrid position, he can be quite effective. Should be put together another season like the one he just had, Tom Telesco might lock him down with a multi-year deal that will prevent him from being signed by another team.
The Chargers are fortunate that hasn’t already happened.