Cost Cutting: Patriots Release Longest-Tenured Veteran

The New England Patriots are creating some financial flexibility at the expense of veteran leadership by releasing defensive tackle Lawrence Guy and safety Adrian Phillips

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots are taking additional steps to get younger on defense, while creating additional salary cap space by releasing veteran defensive tackle Lawrence Guy and safety Adrian Phillips. 

The moves, first reported by NFL Network, are expected to create an additional $4.3 million in cap space for the upcoming season under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. 

Prior to his release, Guy had been the longest-tenured member of the Patriots defense; having joined the team as a free agent in 2017. Since that time, he has appeared in a combined 118 regular season and playoff games for New England. During his time in a Pats uniform, he earned 379 total tackles (22, for loss) 10.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, four fumble recoveries and one interception. He earned a champ ship rings with the Pats, helping them to their 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

Adrian Phillips (21), Lawrence Guy (93) / Cred: USA Today Images

Guy has also been a valuable presence both on and off the field. Guy was voted to Patriots 2010s All-Decade Team and was named a team captain in 2020. He won the Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2021 and was the Patriots nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2022.

Phillips joined the Pats as a free agent signing in March 2020, where he would spend the next four seasons. While the emergence of Jabrill Peppers significantly lessened his playing time — having logged only 17 tackles in as many games this season — Phillips remained a solid option as a STAR hybrid box safety, capable of playing outside linebacker in most of the Patriots defensive schemes. He is also aligned along the defensive line, at slot corner and even outside-wide. He played 67 games (38 starts) during his time in Foxboro, logging 284 total tackles (13, for loss) 16 passes-defensed, six interceptions and one sack. He was also a mainstay on the Pats special teams coverage units, aligning on 800 special teams snaps. 

Phillips is at his best when playing in the box. He is a strong tackler with decent speed, and is most effective when playing closer to the line of scrimmage. As such, he should be a solid fit for a team in need of help with covering a tight end, or a running back out of the backfield. 

Guy had one year remaining on his current four-year, $11.5 million extension which he signed with the club in 2021. HIs release will create an additional $3 million in salary cap space for the upcoming season, with only $500,000 in dead money taken from that total. 

Within that context, Phillips had two years left on his deal — an extension he signed with the Patriots in the 2022 offseason. Originally set to levy a $4.2 million cap number in 2024, the Patriots will save $3 million by releasing Phillips, while absorbing $1.2 million in dead money. With the impending free agency of safety Kyle Dugger, Phillips ultimately became a cap casualty. 

Both Guy and Phillips will now have ample time to gain interest in what promises to be a strong market for their respective services. 

Patriots' Veteran Lineman Retires

In turn, the Patriots will continue their quest to improve upon a defense which performed well despite their 4-13 overall record. New England finished the regular season ranked at No. 7 in overall defense in the NFL, allowing a defensive yards-average of 301.6, as well as 21.5 yards-per-game. The Pats run defense ranked fourth overall with 93.2 rushing yards allowed per game, and a 3.3 yards per attempt average. 

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