Adrian Phillips enjoyed a promising contract year, and the Chargers want to see if can build further on it. The Bolts and Williams agreed to a new contract Friday, the team announced.
The sixth-year safety played extensively as a hybrid linebacker last season, being one of the linchpins of the Chargers’ defensive back-heavy alignment that keyed their first-round win over the Ravens.
Prior to his tour de force playoff game — six tackles, three passes defensed, an interception and a fumble recovery — Phillips earned first-team All-Pro honors for his special teams work. Working as a part-time starter last season, Phillips made 94 tackles. He has played with the Chargers throughout his career.
The Bolts evidently liked what they had at linebacker, having re-signed both Phillips and Denzel Perryman. Tom Telesco identified linebacker as a place the Bolts would target for upgrades this offseason. The Bolts also signed Thomas Davis, further fortifying that unit.
With Perryman and Davis in the fold, and Kyzir White due back from injury, it’s not certain if Phillips will continue to work on the defensive second level. But it would make sense to continue the linebacker experiment — given how well it went in key spots last season. If nothing else, the Chargers have their top special-teamer back.