Adrian Phillips signs with the Patriots

On Thursday, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported that the Patriots are signing former Chargers safety Adrian Phillips to a two-year deal. The Bolts lose one of their most versatile defenders and someone who played a major role in the team’s defensive success during the Bolts’ 12-4 2018 season.

That year, Phillips was selected as a First-Team All-Pro as a special teams contributor. He also played a career-high 66% of the team’s defensive snaps as a sub-package linebacker. Technically labeled as a defensive back, the Chargers utilized six defensive backs on the field more than any other team in the NFL in ‘18.

In the Chargers’ playoff victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Phillips recorded a tackle-for-loss and an interception, helping their team to their first postseason win since the 2013 season. HIs final stat line on the year included 94 total stops, four tackles-for-loss, an interception, nine passes defended, and a forced fumble.