New England Patriots safety Adrian Phillips is not mincing words when it comes to the team’s 2023 schedule.
The Patriots will have a challenge within their own division. Josh Allen will be looking to lead the Buffalo Bills back to the playoffs and perhaps even contend for an AFC title. Tua Tagovailoa has the opportunity to put forth a stellar season with the Miami Dolphins, and Aaron Rodgers will try to get the Jets back to the playoffs.
That’s not even bringing into discussion the season-opener for the Patriots.
They’ll be facing the Philadelphia Eagles in what is anything but a cakewalk. Phillips acknowledged the challenges that awaits the team, when speaking to Mike Yam and Maurice Jones-Drew on NFL Total Access. The Patriots will have to rely heavily on the defensive unit this season, and Phillips is ready to step up to the challenge.
“It’s going to be tough,” said Phillips, as transcribed by NFL.com’s Coral Smith. “You know our division was already tough; Buffalo’s been doing their thing, Josh Allen’s been balling, you’ve got Mike McDaniel down in Miami dialing it up, and then you get Aaron Rodgers going to the Jets, like it’s crazy.
“…We’re going in with the mindset that if we’re just physical and we do our jobs, win all of our one-on-one matchups, we just go out there and play to the best of our abilities, then we can rock with anybody. So we’re not too worried about it, we actually love it because we love competition, love going against the best, and if you make it out of that division, you’re battle-tested.”
It will be interesting to see how Phillips steps up, especially after the retirement of Devin McCourty. Phillips and Kyle Dugger could end up being the main cogs at the safety position.
But even in what appears to be an uphill battle, Phillips is obviously ready.
