Linebacker roulette is not what LA Chargers fans expected to see in what was projected to be a big first week of free agency for the Bolts. Alas, that is exactly what fans are getting as the moves have all been of minor variety.
The Chargers needed to replace special teams ace Nick Niemann, who signed a two-year deal with the Houston Texans earlier this week. To do so, the Bolts ironically signed special teams ace Del'Shawn Phillips, who spent last season with the Texans.
Phillips has over 1,300 career special teams snaps and crossed paths with Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz in Baltimore. Phillips spent two seasons in Baltimore before joining the Texans, which ikely fueled this signing.
Chargers get payback on Texans by signing Del'Shawn Phillips
Niemann was a fundamental member of Ryan Ficken's special teams unit and Phillips has been no slouch in his various stomping grounds, either. In fact, Niemann and Phillips were virtually identical on special teams (at least in the eyes of Pro Football Focus).
Niemann posted a 72.0 PFF grade on special teams last season, while Phillips posted a 72.1. Of course, PFF grades are by no means the end-all, say-all and should not be taken as gospel. But in the eyes of PFF, these two players were virtually the same.
In fact, the Chargers ever-so-slightly win this exchange by signing someone with a minimally higher grade and more special teams experience overall. But who is really counting?
It remains to be seen which team actually got the better end of the deal and quite frankly, the two special teams coordinators will probably factor into that outcome more than anything else. Niemann and Phillips are both talented but their ceilings are determined by the overall units they are playing for.
So why the swap? Niemann likely wants to play more defensive snaps and that path simply did not exist on the Chargers. It isn't guaranteed on the Texans, but there is at least an easier path to playing more defensive snaps.
Meanwhile, the Chargers just needed a linebacker who is content producing at a high level on special teams as the LB5. Phillips has proven to be that in his career, which is why he is a better fit for this role.
The Chargers and Texans are scheduled to play each other in 2025, so perhaps we will see Phillips and Niemann go directly head-to-head on special teams to decide a true winner.