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Adrian Phillips
Adrian Phillips
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Adrian Phillips (born March 28, 1992) is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and joined the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. During the 2018 season, he earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors as a special teamer. Phillips joined the New England Patriots in 2020.

Key Information

Early life

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Phillips played high school football at Garland High School in Garland, Texas. Phillips was an all-state, all-area and two-time first-team all-district selection while playing offense and defense for the Owls. He was a member of ESPNU's top 150 national prospects, ranked as the 14th-best athlete by ESPNU and 25th-best athlete by Rivals. He recorded 72 receptions for 1,307 yards and 14 TDs, 1,111 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs, 949 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, 87 tackles, a forced fumble, and three interceptions.[1]

College career

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Phillips played for the Texas Longhorns from 2010 to 2013. He played in 50 games, starting 28. He was a 2013 honorable mention All-Big 12 coaches choice. Phillips had 206 career tackles and was a team captain in the 2013 season.[1]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 9+78 in
(1.77 m)
202 lb
(92 kg)
31+18 in
(0.79 m)
8+38 in
(0.21 m)
4.58 s 1.58 s 2.70 s 4.29 s 7.10 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)
9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)
13 reps
All values from Texas' Pro Day[2]

San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers

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2014 season

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On June 16, 2014, the San Diego Chargers signed Phillips after he went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft.[3] On August 31, 2014, the San Diego Chargers waived Phillips. After clearing waivers, he was signed to their practice squad. On September 23, 2014, Phillips was waived from the Chargers' practice squad. On September 29, 2014, the San Diego Chargers' re-signed Phillips to their practice squad.[4] On October 1, 2014, Phillips was released from the Chargers' practice squad, but he was re-signed to the practice squad on October 7, 2014. On November 1, 2014, the San Diego Chargers promoted Phillips to the active roster. On November 2, 2014, Phillips made his professional regular season debut and recorded one tackle during a 37–0 loss at the Miami Dolphins in Week 9.[5][6] On November 3, 2014, the San Diego Chargers released Phillips, but re-signed him to their practice squad the following day.[5][7] On November 29, 2014, the San Diego Chargers released Phillips and re-signed him to their practice squad on December 2, 2014.[5] He finished his rookie campaign with one tackle and appeared in three games.

2015 season

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Phillips entered training camp slated as a backup safety and competed for a roster spot against Gordon Hill and Johnny Lowdermilk. On September 5, 2015, the San Diego Chargers released Phillips, but subsequently signed him to their practice squad the following day.[8][9] On October 12, 2015, the San Diego Chargers released Phillips from their practice squad.[10] On October 14, 2015, the Chargers re-signed him to their practice squad. On October 20, 2015, the San Diego Chargers signed him to their active roster.[11]

2016 season

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Throughout training camp, Phillips competed for roster spot as a backup safety against Dexter McCoil, Darrell Stuckey, and Adrian MacDonald.[12] Head coach Mike McCoy named Phillips the backup strong safety to begin the regular season, behind Jahleel Addae.

Phillips was inactive as a healthy scratch for the first two games (Weeks 1–2). On October 2, 2016, Phillips recorded three combined tackles, a pass deflection, and made his first career interception during a 35–34 loss against the New Orleans Saints. Phillips intercepted a pass attempt by Drew Brees, that was originally intended for wide receiver Michael Thomas, during the fourth quarter.[13] In Week 10, Phillips recorded a season-high seven combined tackles (six solo) during a 31–24 loss against the Dolphins. He finished the 2016 NFL season 38 combined tackles (25 solo), three pass deflections, and one interception in 14 games and five starts.

2017 season

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On September 11, 2017, in the season opener against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, Phillips had an interception off of quarterback Trevor Siemian that helped set up a scoring drive for the Chargers.[14] He played in 15 games with four starts as the No. 3 safety behind Jahleel Addae and Tre Boston.

2018 season

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On March 14, 2018, Phillips re-signed with the Chargers.[15] He played in 16 games with seven starts, recording a career-high 94 combined tackles, nine passes defensed, one interception, and a forced fumble. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and was named first-team All-Pro, both as a special teamer.

2019 season

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On March 15, 2019, Phillips re-signed with the Chargers.[16] He entered the season as a starting safety following an injury to Derwin James. He suffered a broken arm in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 17, 2019.[17] He was designated for return from injured reserve on November 14, 2019, and began practicing with the team again. He was activated on November 30.[18]

New England Patriots

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On March 21, 2020, the New England Patriots signed Phillips to a two-year, $6 million contract that includes $3 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.50 million.[19]

Phillips made his debut with the Patriots in Week 1 against the Dolphins. During the game, Phillips intercepted a pass thrown by Ryan Fitzpatrick in the 21–11 win.[20] In Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins, Phillips recorded his first career sack on Tua Tagovailoa during the 22–12 loss.[21]

In Week 8 of the 2021 season, Phillips had three tackles and two interceptions, including a 26-yard pick-six, in a 27–24 win over his former team, the Chargers, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[22] On January 1, 2022, Phillips signed a three-year contract extension with the Patriots.[23] He was released on February 19, 2024.[24]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2014 SDG 3 0 1 0 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 SDG 9 2 19 12 7 0.0 1 1 39 0 39 1 0 0 0 0
2016 SDG 14 6 38 25 13 0.0 1 1 22 0 22 3 0 0 0 0
2017 LAC 15 4 63 50 13 0.0 2 2 13 0 9 5 1 0 0 0
2018 LAC 16 7 94 65 29 0.0 4 1 0 0 0 9 1 0 0 0
2019 LAC 7 5 36 23 13 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 NWE 16 16 109 76 33 1.0 7 2 5 0 5 4 0 0 0 0
2021 NWE 17 13 92 56 36 0.0 3 4 39 1 26 9 1 0 0 0
2022 NWE 17 8 66 37 29 0.0 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
2023 NWE 17 1 17 10 7 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
131 62 535 354 181 1.0 22 11 118 1 39 34 3 0 0 0

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2018 LAC 2 2 12 5 7 0.0 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0
2021 NWE 1 0 6 3 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 2 18 8 10 0.0 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Adrian Phillips (born March 28, 1992) is an American professional football in the (NFL). He last played for the . Born in , Phillips attended , where he was an all-state selection in football, and later played for the from 2010 to 2013, appearing in 50 games with 15 starts primarily at and . Undrafted in the , he signed with the as a free agent and spent his first six professional seasons with the franchise (which relocated to in 2017), evolving into a versatile and special teams contributor. During his tenure with the Chargers, Phillips established himself as a key special teams player, earning First-Team honors in 2018 along with a selection that year for his coverage and tackling prowess on punt and kickoff units. Phillips signed a three-year contract with the Patriots in 2020, where he notched his first career pick-six—a 26-yard return for a against the Chargers in 2021—and became a rotational known for his football IQ and reliability in the secondary. He was released by the Patriots in February 2024 and has not signed with another team since. In 131 career games through the 2023 season, he has recorded 535 total tackles (354 solo), 11 for 118 yards including one , and contributed significantly to both defense and special teams across his teams. Off the field, Phillips founded the L.A.K.E. Foundation in 2023 to support community initiatives and is married to his college sweetheart, Camille, with whom he has children.

Early years

Childhood and family background

Adrian Phillips was born on March 28, 1992, in Garland, Texas. He grew up in this Dallas suburb, immersed in the local culture of the region. Phillips came from a family with deep musical roots, which shaped his early non-athletic interests. His great-grandfather, Melvin Phillips, was an early jazz musician. His grandfather played the saxophone, while his father served as a percussionist in his high school marching band. This heritage fostered Phillips' own engagement with music during childhood; he played percussion in middle school and later took piano lessons in high school. The environment, known for its strong football tradition, contributed to Phillips' budding interest in athletics as he transitioned toward organized sports in high school.

High school career

Adrian Phillips attended in , where he played football as a versatile athlete, primarily contributing on both offense as a and defense as a . During his sophomore year in 2007, he demonstrated early adaptability by shifting positions, including to linebacker, to fill team needs amid injuries. In his junior and senior seasons, Phillips helped lead Garland to a 20-4 overall record, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. As a senior in 2009, he was recognized as a dynamic on offense and defense. His junior year featured strong performances that contributed to the team's success and his recruiting profile. Phillips emerged as a highly regarded recruit in the class of 2010, ranked as the No. 113 overall prospect nationally, the No. 18 player in , and the No. 9 athlete in the country by , earning a four-star rating. He attracted interest from multiple college programs and committed to the University of Texas early, signing his on February 3, 2010, after attending a Texas junior day event the previous year.

College career

Freshman and sophomore seasons

Adrian Phillips joined the as a highly recruited true freshman in 2010, forgoing a redshirt year to contribute immediately on special teams and as a reserve . Appearing in 11 games that season, he recorded 8 tackles (6 solo) while adapting to the rigors of play amid a transitional year for , which finished 5-7 overall under . His limited defensive snaps highlighted his initial adjustment from high school versatility to college-level schemes, with one notable punt return for 9 yards against Florida Atlantic. In his sophomore campaign of 2011, Phillips evolved into a more prominent rotational player, starting five games at and participating in all 13 contests, including the Holiday Bowl victory over . He amassed 39 tackles (27 solo, 12 assisted), including 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack, while securing 2 interceptions for 24 yards, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery—key contributions during Texas's 8-5 season marked by defensive inconsistencies in the competitive Big 12. A standout performance came in the season opener against , where he recovered a fumble to help secure a 34-9 win, demonstrating his growing instincts on defense. However, a shoulder sidelined him for the October game against , though he returned later in the year. Phillips' development drew praise from coaches for his football IQ, rooted in his high school experience, which aided in reading offensive tendencies. noted, "He’s a quarterback... He knows what the offense is doing and can move people around. That’s why he’s so vital." Greg Robinson highlighted his work ethic, calling him "an outstanding football player" with strong intangibles that facilitated his shift from reserve to starter. This progression underscored his adjustment to college football's demands during Texas's rebuilding phase.

Junior and senior seasons

In his junior season of 2012, Phillips emerged as a full-time starter for the , appearing in all 13 games and recording 65 total tackles (33 solo, 32 assisted), along with 2.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions. His interceptions came in key Big 12 matchups, including one against TCU on November 22 and another versus Kansas State in the regular-season finale on December 1. Phillips also notched a career-high 10 tackles in a loss to rival on October 13, contributing to a defense that showed improvement late in the year. In the against Oregon State on December 29, Texas lost 31-27. During his senior campaign in 2013, Phillips solidified his role as a defensive leader, starting all 13 games and serving as a team captain while tallying a career-high 79 tackles (53 solo, 26 assisted), 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. He recorded nine tackles in victories over on October 12 and on November 9, with his second interception coming in the latter game. Phillips earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors from the conference coaches for his contributions to a unit that ranked among the league's top defenses in scoring. In the Sun Bowl against on December 31, he helped anchor the secondary in a 30-7 win, though specific individual stats from the game highlighted his consistent presence in coverage. Over his final two college seasons, Phillips amassed 144 total tackles, four interceptions, and three pass breakups while starting 23 games, demonstrating marked growth in run support and leadership following his sophomore year. Building briefly on his earlier experience, he took on greater responsibility in the secondary, contributing to 28 career starts across 49 at . His college career concluded with 191 total tackles, six interceptions, and two fumble recoveries, underscoring his development into a reliable Big 12 defender.

Professional career

Los Angeles Chargers

Adrian Phillips signed with the as an undrafted on May 12, 2014, shortly after the concluded. In his rookie season, he appeared in three games, primarily on special teams, recording one tackle without a start. During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Phillips established himself as a core special teams contributor, playing in nine games with two starts in 2015 (19 tackles, one ) and 14 games with six starts in 2016 (38 tackles, one ), while also providing depth on defense. His versatility in coverage and tackling on punt and kick units became a staple, as he logged over 300 special teams snaps each year. In 2017, following the franchise's relocation from to , Phillips transitioned to a more prominent defensive role under new head coach , starting four of 15 games and recording 63 tackles with two interceptions and one forced fumble. He signed a one-year exclusive rights contract that March, securing his roster spot amid the team's rebuilding efforts. Phillips' performance peaked in , his contract year after re-signing on a tender, as he started seven of 16 games on defense while leading the with 19 special teams tackles; his defensive output included 94 tackles, one , and one forced , earning him Pro Bowl selection as an AFC special teams starter and First-Team honors. In the playoffs, he played both the AFC Wild Card win over the —where he notched an and a fumble recovery, becoming the first player to achieve both in a postseason game since 2012—and the Divisional Round loss to the , contributing 12 total tackles across the two games. Entering restricted free agency, Phillips re-signed with the Chargers on March 15, 2019, to a one-year, $2 million deal that included playing time incentives. He started five of seven games early in the season, amassing 36 tackles, before suffering a broken right against the Detroit Lions in Week 2, which led to his placement on injured reserve and a 10-week absence. Phillips returned to the active roster in late November, providing veteran depth in the secondary during the Chargers' 5-11 finish.

New England Patriots

After leaving the Los Angeles Chargers, Phillips signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the on March 19, 2020, drawn in part by his prior experience and versatility. In his first season with the Patriots, Phillips recorded 109 total tackles and two interceptions while contributing on special teams and in sub-packages, helping stabilize the secondary amid defensive coordinator Steve Belichick's schemes. His performance earned a three-year contract extension worth $12.75 million through the 2024 season on January 1, 2022, recognizing his multi-faceted role. Phillips' 2021 campaign marked a breakout year in , where he led the team with 92 total tackles and four interceptions, including a 26-yard pick-six return for a against the Chargers in Week 8. He adapted seamlessly to hybrid roles, lining up at , corner, and even linebacker in zone coverages under , showcasing his football IQ and tackling prowess in a transitioning defense. By 2022, Phillips maintained his utility with 66 total tackles across 17 games, primarily as a rotational and special teams ace, though his interceptions dropped to zero amid increased competition in the secondary. In 2023, under head coach , his snaps declined significantly to a career-low, resulting in just 17 total tackles in a reserve capacity focused on depth and mentoring younger players. The Patriots released Phillips on February 19, 2024, saving approximately $3 million in space while absorbing $1.2 million in dead money, positioning him as an unrestricted . As of November 2025, Phillips remains unsigned, continuing to seek opportunities in the .

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Adrian Phillips appeared in 131 regular season games during his NFL career from 2014 to 2023, starting 62 of them across stints with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots; following his release from the Patriots in February 2024, he has not appeared in any games since. His defensive contributions are summarized in the table below, which includes key metrics such as games played and started, tackles, sacks, interceptions, passes defended, forced fumbles, and defensive touchdowns.
YearTeamGGSSoloAstTotalSkIntPDFFDef TD
2014SDG300110.00000
2015SDG92127190.01100
2016SDG1462513380.01300
2017LAC1545013630.02510
2018LAC1676529940.01910
2019LAC752313360.00000
2020NWE161676331091.02400
2021NWE17135636920.04911
2022NWE1783729660.00300
2023NWE171107170.00000
Career131623541815351.0113431
Over his career, Phillips recorded 535 combined tackles (354 solo, 181 assisted), 1 sack, 11 interceptions, 34 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 defensive touchdown. In 2018, he had a breakout performance with 94 tackles and 9 passes defended on defense, while earning and First-Team recognition for special teams. Phillips' 2021 season featured career highs of 4 interceptions for 39 return yards, including a 26-yard pick-six in Week 8 against the Chargers.

Playoffs

Adrian Phillips made his first postseason appearance with the in the 2018 AFC playoffs, starting both games as the team advanced to the divisional round. In the Wild Card round on January 6, 2019, against the , Phillips recorded six tackles (three solo), one , three passes defended, and one fumble recovery, contributing to the Chargers' 23-17 victory. His of rookie quarterback at the Chargers' 41-yard line set up a that extended their lead late in the third quarter, while his fumble recovery of running back Kenneth Dixon's ball at the Baltimore 15-yard line in the fourth quarter helped seal the win. In the divisional round on January 13, 2019, against the , Phillips started and tallied six tackles (two solo), including one for loss, but the Chargers fell 41-28. Phillips' postseason run with the Chargers showcased his versatility in coverage and run support under playoff pressure, though the team did not advance further. With the , Phillips appeared in only one playoff game during the 2021 season, a Wild Card matchup on January 15, 2022, against the , where he recorded six tackles (three solo) in a 47-17 loss. The Patriots did not qualify for the postseason in subsequent years during his tenure, limiting his overall playoff exposure.
DateOpponentResultTackles (Solo/Ast)INTPDFF/FRTFL
2019-01-06BALW 23-176 (3/3)130/10
2019-01-13NWEL 41-286 (2/4)000/01
2022-01-15BUFL 47-176 (3/3)000/00
Career Totals18 (8/10)130/11
Across his three career playoff games, Phillips amassed 18 combined tackles, one interception, three passes defended, one fumble recovery, and one tackle for loss, primarily contributing on defense with occasional special teams snaps.

References

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