Tag: Derwin James contract extension

Chargers’ Derwin James becomes highest-paid safety in NFL

Derwin James is now the highest-paid safety in football.

After a 14-day hold-in, Derwin James became the highest-paid safety in the NFL on Wednesday, surpassing Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick when he signed a contract extension with the Chargers.

James’ deal is for four years worth $76.4 million, with an average of $19.1 million per year, including $42 million guaranteed.

James earning this paycheck is no surprise, as he has proven to be one of the best players at his position since 2018 when he was a Pro Bowler during his rookie season.

A chess piece on the field, James has proven to execute a variety of tasks on the field at a high level, whether it’s covering the opposing team’s top skill players, stopping the run, or pressuring quarterbacks.

Along with that, James is the vocal leader of the team. He has a great sense of when things aren’t going right and when he does need to pick his teammates up.

James is coming off an impressive 2021 season in which he amassed a career-high 118 tackles, two interceptions, two sacks and three forced fumbles in 15 games. That came after he was limited to five games in 2019 and missed all of 2020 due to injuries.

Chargers’ Derwin James sits out first day of training camp amid contract negotiations

The Chargers’ star safety did not participate on the first day of training camp.

The Chargers started their training camp on Wednesday.

Nearly every single player participated except for star safety Derwin James, who sat out the session. He was present but did not participate in any of the on-field drills.

James is in the process of negotiating a contract extension as he enters the fifth and final season of his rookie contract. Once official, he is expected to become the highest-paid safety in the NFL.

Afterward, head coach Brandon Staley confirmed that James did not practice because of his contract situation. Staley added that he feels like the two sides are close and said James would be full go once it gets done.

James was limited throughout the offseason program after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder in February.

Report: Chargers, Derwin James ‘optimistic’ about contract extension

The expectation is that Chargers’ Derwin James will be the league’s highest-paid safety.

Chargers safety Derwin James is in the final year of his rookie contract, the fifth-year option the team picked up last May.

Los Angeles wants to sign him to a long-term deal, and James wants to remain in the blue and gold, which is why they are optimistic an extension can be reached ahead of training camp, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler also notes that the expectation is that James will become the league’s highest-paid safety.

Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick reset the market last month when he signed a four-year, $72.988 million extension ($18.247 million AAV), the highest for a safety in the league.

After two injury-riddled seasons, James played his first full year since 2018.

With his ability to cover, stop the run, and pass rush, the queen piece on the chessboard finished with 118 tackles, seven for loss, five passes defended, two interceptions, and two sacks in 2021.

Now we wait and see what the presumed highest-paid safety’s earnings will look like.