Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers agree to record-breaking extension
Derwin James and the Los Angeles Chargers made NFL history on Wednesday, as the franchise and the former Florida State star agreed to a record-breaking contract extension.
After qualms over his contract spilled into camp, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the massive deal for James.
“Derwin James and the Chargers have agreed on a massive 4-year $76.4M extension, which averages $19.133M a year and resets the safety market,” tweeted Schefter. “This deal makes James the highest paid safety in NFL history, per source.
“After a short hold in, agent David Mulugheta and the Chargers have a deal that will get the safety back on the field.”
Over the course of his NFL career, James has been a superstar when on the field. While the injury bug has bit him on multiple occasions, the former Florida State star has proved enough that the Chargers are willing to commit to him for the extended future.
Derwin James has ascended to become one of the top defensive players in the entire league, and now he’s being paid like one. It’s a good day to be the star defensive back, and a good day to be a fan of the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Derwin James, a 2021 Pro Bowl honoree, was a Five-Star Plus+ safety recruit, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, meaning he received a five-star rating from every recruiting website. After committing and playing at Florida State, James was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, taken off the board by the Chargers with the 17th-overall draft selection.
Quickly made his name know, as James was named an All-Pro as a rookie in 2018. That year, James was also named the AP Defensive Player of the Year after the free safety amassed 105 total tackles (75 solo stops), four tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, three interceptions and 13 passes defended, all while starting all 16 regular-season games. He spent two seasons nursing injuries, but James quickly rejoined Jackson at the Pro Bowl in 2021 after an excellent campaign.
Moreover, Derwin James was named the NFL’s AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2021. After playing just five games in 2019 and none in 2020, he played in 15 in 2021, amassing 118 total tackles (75 solo stops), 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, five passes defended and three forced fumbles.