Patriots locking up breakout star safety feels out of character

Even with all the money Bill Belichick doled out in free agency, it’s been an overachieving year for the New England Patriots.

With the best head coach in the league, a strong running game, top-notch defense, and Mac Jones proving to be the best quarterback from the 2021 class, the Patriots have the pieces in place to enjoy sustained success.

Like any team, though, that formula will hinge on whether Belichick is able to keep some (or most) of that core together.

It’ll be a challenge, but New England took one step closer in that regard this weekend when they agreed to a three-year extension with Adrian Phillips, a safety by trade who’s lined up everywhere in Belichick’s defense.

We’re not sure anyone saw this move coming, but that has more to do with the fact Belichick loves keeping things behind closed doors than Phillips’ performance.

No matter their importance, the Patriots almost never lock up players in their late 20s who outperform their current contracts.

The Patriots and Adrian Phillips agreed to a three-year extension.

Phillips will turn 30 well before the start of next campaign, meaning he’ll be 33 by the time this extension expires.

Don’t get us wrong. It’s a deserved reward for the veteran. He’s third on the team with 76 tackles, second in interceptions (four), one of which was returned for a touchdown, and is Pro Football Focus’ sixth-highest graded safety.

Versatility is one of Belichick’s favorite attributes in a defender, and Phillips is as dynamic as they come in that regard, logging 348 snaps in the box, 121 as a safety, 113 as a slot corner and 154 as an edge defender this year, per PFF.

However, we can’t help but wonder what Phillips’ extension means for the rest of the secondary. As of this writing, JC Jackson, who’s maybe been the best cornerback in the NFL this year, is headed for free agency.

The same can be said for Devin McCourty, but the continued growth of Kyle Dugger gives the Patriots some extra insurance.

Getting back to Jackson, it really wouldn’t make much sense to lock up Phillips and let the star CB walk as a free agent.

The good news is that Phillips’ new deal is a bargain and shouldn’t obstruct any negotiations with Jackson. The breakout star can earn up to $14.25 million through incentives, but his annual average value (just over $4 million) ranks near the bottom of the league at the safety position.

We all know New England jumps at the opportunity to sign players below their market value, right? Well, that’s where the bad news comes in, because Jackson playing at an All-Pro level could push him out of their budget.

Again, we want fans to celebrate this news. Having Phillips and Dugger locked down for years to come is a huge win.

At the same time, though, we wouldn’t fault fans who are wondering what this news means for Jackson’s future, because he should be the team’s number one priority once free agency opens and every rumor we’ve stumbled across suggests he’ll be playing elsewhere in 2022.

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