The Los Angeles Chargers and All-Pro safety Derwin James have come to terms on a new 4yr/$76.4M contract extension.
The new deal carries an AAV of $19.13M which would make James the highest paid safety in NFL history. It also boasts $42M in guaranteed money, another record for the safety position.
The new contract brings an end to the “hold-in” during training camp, as James had been present since July 26th but had not taken part in any on field drills as negotiations progressed.
The former Florida State strong safety was originally taken by the Chargers with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. In his 4 years in the league, he’s been selected as a first team All-Pro in both of his healthy campaigns (2018 & 2021). James was limited to only 5 games in 2019, and missed the entire 2020 season with a torn meniscus.
Chargers’ head coach Brandon Staley had nothing but praise for the safety telling reporters this week “I don’t look at Derwin as a safety…I look at Derwin as an impact player. If you were just looking at him as a safety, that wouldn’t be doing Derwin justice. For me, I look at him as a defensive back.”
“Because he can play anywhere. He can play either safety spot, he can play corner, he can play star or money. He can rush the quarterback and make an impact as a blitzer, he can make an impact in man-to-man coverage, and then he can make an impact in zone defense, whether he’s playing low or high. And he’s our signal-caller and the heartbeat of our defense.”
A true difference maker on defense, James has accumulated 257 tackles, 5 INTs, 5.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in his 36 game NFL career thus far. The only knock on him during his time in the league has been his availability as he’s battled a number of injuries since joining the Chargers.
That trend continued this offseason where he underwent labrum surgery on his left shoulder following an appearance at the Pro Bowl in February. James was slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2022 season prior to the deal being signed.
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