Patriots sign safety Adrian Phillips to three-year extension before 2022 free agency

Adrian Phillips was in the final games of his contract with the New England Patriots, but the team ensured the veteran safety isn't going anywhere. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Phillips agreed to a three-year extension with the Patriots on Saturday that will pay him $12.75 million and keep him under contract through the 2024 season.

"He's one of our best players," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of Phillips, via the team's website. "He's one of our most versatile players. He almost always does the right thing. When something comes up, maybe you haven't covered it... He does what you would want him to do without really telling him exactly what to do in that situation, so all that's impressive."

Phillips, 29, played the first six seasons of his career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2018. After a broken arm cost him more than half of the 2019 season, he hit free agency and joined the Patriots on a two-year deal in free agency.

In 31 games with the Patriots, Phillips has six interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack. Earlier in the 2021 season, Phillips scored his first career touchdown on an interception against his former team.