The Chargers got a deal done with special teams ace linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips on Wednesday. Per NFL Network, the deal is for two years, $7.5 million (up to $10.5 million).
Phillips was a special teams second-team AP All-Pro in 2025. Phillips and S Derwin James were the only two Chargers who made the All-Pro team last season. He had the third most special teams tackles in the NFL (18). Out of nearly 2000 NFL players that logged special teams snaps last year, Phillips was tied for 20th at 371.
Chargers ST coordinator Ryan Ficken gets his key special teams ace back in Del’Shawn Phillips.
Phillips gets a nice pay bump with this extension over his 2025 contract. Phillips’ cap number was just $1.7 million with the team last season. He only had $400k guaranteed when he signed.
And the former Texans linebacker earned that pay bump. Phillips scored an 82.2 PFF special teams grade last season. Outside of his special teams play, Phillips also flashed on defensive reps towards the end of the season. In the last two weeks of the regular season, he had three pressures, one sack and nine tackles. Along with rookie Marlowe Wax, Phillips played very well against the Broncos in Week 18.
Phillips’ re-signing is obviously important for special teams, as mentioned earlier, but it’s also critical for the linebacker room. Denzel Perryman is a free agent currently and there’s no guarantee he’s back with the team. If the Chargers were to move on from Perryman, that could lead to increased defensive reps for Wax and Phillips.
Troy Dye and Daiyan Henley would currently be the top two linebackers under contract in the rotation. It’s worth pointing out that former third-round selection Junior Colson is still under contract. But Colson has struggled to stay on the field as a torn labrum ended his season before it even started last year.
Phillips is as important to the Chargers as someone like K Cameron Dicker. He was critical in stabilizing the Chargers’ special teams coverage units last season some midseason roster churning.
As a consistent special-teams weapon, it’s nice to see Phillips rewarded for his work. The contract serves as a nice investment for the potential defensive flashes he showed towards the end of the season as well. Expect both Phillips and Wax to have increased roles in 2026 for the Chargers.