The Chargers have retained their best special teams player.
The Bolts on Wednesday announced they have agreed to terms with linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips, a move that ensures the All-Pro is staying in powder blue.
Phillips signed a 1-year deal with the Chargers a year ago and was expected to be an important piece on special teams.
He promptly turned in one of the best special teams seasons in Chargers history, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors while setting a single-season franchise record with 24 tackles.
Phillips' 24 tackles in that phase ranked second in the NFL as he also led the Bolts in special teams snaps (352).
Most of Phillips' tackles came on kickoff coverage as he single-handling dominated in that phase … and also prevented opposing returners from game-breaking plays.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips. Phillips recorded 1 fumble recovery, 37 tackles, and 1 tackle for loss in the 2026 season.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips.
Both Chargers Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken and Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh sung Phillips' praises late in the 2025 season.
"He has been everything above and beyond not only what I could ask for, but what this team could ask for," Ficken said. "The way he handles himself, not only on the field as we all see, but the way he is in the locker room and the way he talks to the young guys, the way he studies … I wish we had a lot of Del'Shawns."
Harbaugh added of Phillips: "Just really happy for his success. And some of those tackles he's making, it's him or nobody. He is defeating blocks, making tackles. Just really playing great."
Phillips' return is a massive win for Ficken and the Chargers on special teams as the unit looks to build on their success from the second half of the season.
From Week 10 on, the Chargers were seventh overall with a 90.2 special teams grade from Pro Football Focus.
Phillips was a big part of that as he posted a PFF special teams grade of 87.3 in the second half of the season, a number that ranked fourth among players with at least 150 special teams snaps.
The Chargers have visions of double-digit wins and playoff success in 2026. Getting Phillips back is a key step to helping achieve those goals.
View the Chargers 2026 Free Agency Tracker.
View the Chargers 2026 Draft Picks.
View the Chargers 2026 Opponents.
