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Chargers Veteran Free Agent Signee Is in Danger Of Being Cut

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The Los Angeles Chargers had quite an uneventful free agency period, spending with a frugal mindset, even though they had plenty of cap space to add free agents to their roster. That said, one of the very few moves the Chargers did end up making was signing former Raven, Del’Shawn Phillips, to a one-year, $2,000,000 contract, which includes $700,000 guaranteed.

This was one of the more underrated signings of the offseason. Phillips was a core special teamer in his last few spots and found himself to be a fine starting linebacker in a pinch. While this signing did not exactly make the fanbase erupt– like the Keenan Allen reunion did— it at least gave fans a new name to be excited about. Unfortunately, this name has yet to put a true face to it.

Phillips has not seen the field since signing with the Chargers. This is due to him currently being on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He is slowly seeing his almost guaranteed spot on the 53-man roster dwindle to what could possibly be a fight to even crack the practice squad.

Chargers Veteran Free Agent Signee Is in Danger Of Being Cut

A Crash Course On Del’Shawn Phillips’ Career And Why The Chargers Signed Him

Del’Shawn Phillips is not unaware of how to crack a final 53-man roster, as he was once an undrafted free agent hungry to make an NFL team. During his time being cut and signed multiple times by multiple teams, he was able to put out some good film and get picked up by the Baltimore Ravens as a depth linebacker/special-teams ace.

This signing happened while Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz was in the building in Baltimore. This connection is crucial to the signing of Phillips for the Chargers in 2025. Going back to that good film he had previously, he was able to rack up 31 tackles, a sack, and two TFLs during his stint with the New York Jets in 2021. He then followed that up with a solid two-year stint in Baltimore, where he had 29 tackles, one TFL, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Enough to get him with the Texans in 2024, where he proved to be a valuable special-teams ace, playing 77% of their special-teams snaps.

After a few years of strong play on special teams, coupled with spot-starter ability at linebacker, Phillips was awarded his aforementioned two-million-dollar contract by the Chargers, a contract in danger of not being cashed in to its maximum potential.

May 20, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips looks on at press conference during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers Preseason Standouts Are Zoning In On Phillips’ 53-Man Roster Spot

Now that the NFL 2025 Preseason has kicked off, and with the Chargers having the opportunity to start their offseason training early due to an extra preseason game, the picture is getting clearer of who the true standouts are and who is really fighting for a spot. There are two guys who are really scraping and clawing for that roster spot that Phillips is losing grasp of: Caleb Murphy and Marlowe Wax.

Marlowe Wax – Could He Simply Just Be The Next Del’Shawn Phillips?

Starting with Syracuse’s Marlowe Wax, he is the direct positional backup to Phillips, as they both play inside linebacker. Wax is slightly undersized at 6’1 235, but this lack of size is easily compensated for by his impressive 10-yard split that is ranked in the 99th percentile of all NFL linebackers. This allows him to react quickly and blow plays, a trait he has shown thus far in the preseason. His nine tackles and a sack against the Saints are quite indicative of his athletic tools being put to great use.

Wax may just be a practice squad stash for the 2025 season, but the idea of him taking Phillips’ spot in 2025 is not too irrational. He would be cheaper, younger, and brings some interesting upside considering his reactionary quickness.

Caleb Murphy – A Man on a Mission

Moving on to Caleb Murphy, the individual who is more likely to make the final 53-man roster. The Ferris State product is an EDGE rusher who was once an undrafted free agent himself with the Tennessee Titans, where he saw some run before the team let him go. Murphy was signed by the Chargers midseason last year to give them some depth for special teams and to help supplement injuries to the EDGE room.

Going into year two of his Chargers career, Murphy has done exactly what he has been asked to do: special teams and provide EDGE depth. He took that responsibility and ran with it, as he just had a two, could have been a three-sack day against the New Orleans Saints. The third sack was credited to Wax, but a case could be made that Murphy should have gotten the credit.

He coupled his defensive performance with a few special teams tackles and an assisted forced fumble against the Lions in the Hall-of-Fame game. Murphy is now well on his way to taking a roster spot away from the established veteran Del’Shawn Phillips.

Last Word On Chargers Veteran Free Agent Linebacker In Danger Of Being Cut

So, with two younger, cheaper options breathing down the neck of Phillips, it is safe to say that he needs to get off the PUP list as soon as possible. This will allow him to finally give the Chargers an opportunity to see what they invested two million dollars in. However, if he is not the same post-injury or does not move the needle enough, it is fair to say that the roster is fair game to both Wax and Murphy.

Either way, as Jim Harbaugh always preaches, competitors welcome.

The post Chargers Veteran Free Agent Signee Is in Danger Of Being Cut appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.