Phillips returns to the Bolts after recording a 2025 campaign where he was among the most effective special teams players in the NFL, earning second-team All-Pro recognition from The Associated Press as a special teamer. His 24 special teams tackles were the second-most in the NFL in 2025 and the most by any Charger in a single season over the last 30 years. Phillips competed in all 18 games for the Bolts in 2025, including the postseason, with a start at linebacker in Week 18. Defensively, he totaled 15 tackles (five solo), a five-yard sack, a tackle for loss and fumble recovery.
Originally entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta in 2019, Phillips got his first action with Buffalo in 2020. He has appeared in 86 career regular-season games, including three starts, with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers. One of football’s premier special teams players, Phillips has recorded 58 special teams tackles in his career, ranking sixth in the NFL since 2020. On defense, he has posted 55 tackles (24 solo), a pair of sacks, three quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble and three recoveries. In four postseason games, Phillips has totaled three tackles (two solo), a tackle for loss, three special teams tackles and a safety.
Over two seasons at the University of Illinois (2017-18), Phillips appeared in 23 games, making 21 starts and compiling 180 tackles (91 solo), 2.5 sacks, four interceptions, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and a recovery. He opened his collegiate career at Garden City Community College in Kansas (2015-16), where he won the 2016 NJCAA National Championship. That season, he led the Broncbusters defense with 95 tackles (52 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, while also adding a pair of sacks, three interceptions, four passes defensed and a fumble recovery.