Del’Shawn Phillips Bio
Del’Shawn Phillips is an American professional football linebacker who plays in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 9, 1996, in Highland Park, Michigan, he has built his career as a hard-working inside linebacker after entering the league as an undrafted free agent. Phillips currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, where he has earned recognition for his tackling and special teams play.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 230 pounds, Phillips is known for his physical presence on the defensive side of the ball. Over the course of his NFL career, he has played for six different franchises, a journey that has shaped him into a steady contributor on defense and special teams units.
Early Life and Background
Del’Shawn Phillips was born and raised in Highland Park, Michigan, a small city in the Detroit metropolitan area. He attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, one of the state’s most respected public magnet schools, where he developed his football skills in a highly competitive athletic environment. Cass Tech has produced a long list of professional athletes, and Phillips graduated prepared to pursue college football.
After high school, Phillips was not immediately eligible to play at a four-year college. He had committed to Western Michigan, but was ruled academically ineligible, forcing him to take online courses at Mott Community College while sitting out a year. He later enrolled at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas, where his college career officially began on the field.
Path to American Football
Phillips made an immediate impact at Garden City Community College. As a freshman, he recorded 72 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks, establishing himself as one of the most disruptive defenders on the team. During his sophomore season, he tallied 95 tackles and helped the Broncbusters win the 2016 NJCAA National Football Championship, a defining accomplishment for the program and a major milestone in his personal development.
Following the national title, Phillips initially committed to transfer to Arizona, but he changed his commitment and signed with Illinois. He went on to spend his final two seasons of college eligibility with the Illinois Fighting Illini, where he became a defensive leader and a respected team captain.
Del’Shawn Phillips Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Phillips began his college career at Garden City Community College from 2015 to 2016. After his standout junior college career, he transferred to the University of Illinois, where he played for the Fighting Illini from 2017 to 2018. As a junior, he was named a starting linebacker and led the team with 85 tackles, signaling his readiness for the next level.
As a senior, Phillips was voted a team captain and once again led Illinois in tackles with 95. He also added four interceptions and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference recognition. These performances established him as a productive and reliable linebacker entering the professional ranks.
NFL Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Del’Shawn Phillips signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2019. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, ending a brief stint with the team. Shortly after, on October 30, 2019, he was signed to the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad, where he finished the season and signed a futures contract on January 6, 2020.
Phillips made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, in the Bills’ season opener against the New York Jets, though he suffered a quadriceps injury in the game. He was placed on injured reserve, activated in November, and placed back on injured reserve shortly after. He played in two games for Buffalo, with all 14 of his defensive snaps coming on special teams, before being waived on January 19, 2021.
New York Jets Era (2021–2022)
On March 23, 2021, Phillips signed with the New York Jets as he looked to earn a permanent role in the league. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 21, 2021, giving him another opportunity to contribute.
Phillips remained with the Jets through the 2021 season and into the 2022 offseason. He was waived again on August 30, 2022, as part of final roster cuts, closing his time in New York. His time with the Jets helped him gain valuable regular-season experience in the league.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2022–2023)
On August 31, 2022, Phillips was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens, where he found a stable home for two seasons. He contributed on defense and special teams, fitting into Baltimore’s physical, tackling-based defensive identity. On March 19, 2023, Phillips re-signed with the Ravens on a one-year deal, signaling the organization’s confidence in his role.
Houston Texans Era (2024)
On March 15, 2024, Phillips signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans as an unrestricted free agent. He continued his pattern of steady, special teams-driven production in Houston, adding to his reputation as a reliable veteran linebacker. His time with the Texans helped him reach several career statistical milestones before moving on in free agency.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Phillips signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed the following day when cornerback Eric Rogers was placed on injured reserve. His strong play during the 2025 season earned him Second-team All-Pro honors, a major recognition for a player who entered the league without a draft selection.
On March 11, 2026, Phillips re-signed with the Chargers on a two-year, $7.5 million contract, securing his long-term future with the franchise. He is listed as No. 53 on the active roster and continues to play a key role for the Chargers’ defense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Del’Shawn Phillips is a physical, downhill linebacker who excels at run support and tackling in the box. His experience on special teams has made him a dependable tackler in space, and he reads plays quickly. His career-best statistical season in 2025 reflected his growth as a complete linebacker in the Chargers’ defensive scheme.
Notable Events and Milestones
Phillips helped Garden City Community College win the 2016 NJCAA National Football Championship, one of the most significant accomplishments of his early career. He made his NFL debut in 2020 with the Buffalo Bills and was named Second-team All-Pro in 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers, a notable milestone for an undrafted player.
Del’Shawn Phillips Career Wins
Del’Shawn Phillips has recorded verified career statistics as a linebacker and special teams contributor across multiple NFL franchises. As of the 2025 NFL season, he has totaled 113 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries in his professional career. His progression from an undrafted free agent to an All-Pro selection stands as one of the most notable individual storylines among current NFL linebackers.
NFL Highlights
Phillips has appeared in regular-season games for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Chargers. His Second-team All-Pro selection in 2025 marked his most decorated professional season and his first major individual NFL award. He re-signed with the Chargers on a two-year, $7.5 million contract in March 2026.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Phillips was part of the Garden City Community College team that won the 2016 NJCAA National Football Championship. He also led the Illinois Fighting Illini in tackles in back-to-back seasons and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference recognition as a senior.
Del’Shawn Phillips Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited public information is available about Del’Shawn Phillips’s family background. He grew up in Highland Park, Michigan, and attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, an area with a deep tradition of producing professional football players.
Personal Life
Del’Shawn Phillips keeps his personal life largely private. No public information about his spouse, children, or parents has been widely confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Del’Shawn Phillips enjoyed a career-defining 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers after signing a one-year, $2 million contract in March 2025. Despite a brief release during final roster cuts, he returned to the team and became a key contributor on defense and special teams. His strong play was recognized with a Second-team All-Pro selection, his first major NFL award.
Through the 2025 season, Phillips recorded 113 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries, setting new career highs in several defensive categories. He provided veteran leadership and consistency in the Chargers’ linebacker rotation, helping anchor a defense that benefited from his tackling reliability.
Following his 2025 performance, Phillips re-signed with the Chargers on a two-year, $7.5 million contract in March 2026, reflecting the organization’s commitment to keeping him as a defensive cornerstone. His outlook remains strong as he continues to serve as a model undrafted success story in the NFL.