Los Angeles Chargers: Predicting the fate of the five biggest free agents
By Jason Reed
Adrian Phillips signs a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers
You can definitely make the same injury case that we made for Hunter Henry for Adrian Phillips as he missed nine games in the 2019 season. However, Phillips is such an integral part of the Los Angeles Chargers defense and special teams that he is deserving of a contract extension.
The difference between Phillips and Henry is that Phillips would not cost nearly as much as Henry would. Phillips probably would get a salary close to that of Kenny Vaccaro, which is $6 million per season, so we evaluate Phillips’ new contract with the Chargers at four years for $25 million, $15 million being guaranteed.
That is a bit higher than most guaranteed contracts and that is what would sway Phillips from signing with any other teams in the offseason. This contract would pay Phillips $6.25 million per season.
Phillips was a special teams All-Pro in 2018 and alongside Derwin James, he is a huge impact player in the defense as well. The value in Philips lies in his versatility and ability to play deep as a safety as well as line up in the middle of the field as a linebacker.
If the Chargers are going to contend for a Super Bowl in the coming years then they need to keep their defensive core intact and it starts with Adrian Phillips this offseason.