Tag: Derwin James extension

Chargers’ Derwin James: “Never a doubt” contract extension would get done

There was never a doubt in Derwin James’ mind.

On Wednesday, we finally heard from a franchise cornerstone.

Safety Derwin James, fresh off a market-setting contract extension and his first practice of the offseason, told the media that “there was never a doubt” that a deal was going to get done.

James said he’ll be ready to fully practice by next week as he ramps back up into peak physical condition. Asked about James on Tuesday, head coach Brandon Staley said that his star safety was already in football shape thanks to his perfect attendance at the team facility as negotiations on his extension dragged on.

“Heck yeah, it was super hard,” said James of his absence from the field despite being around the team these past few weeks. “Everyone know how much I love football, how much I wanna be out here.”

You could tell James was ecstatic to be back in his element today. He beamed for almost the entirety of his interview and cracked a few jokes, telling one reporter that he planned to take Rams CB and close friend Jalen Ramsey to McDonald’s to celebrate.

And hey, who could blame him? $19.1 million a year can buy as much McDonald’s as Ramsey wants.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ Derwin James’ historic contract extension

Let’s take a look at some of the best reactions immediately after the Derwin James’ news broke.

The Chargers and Derwin James agreed to a massive four-year, $76.4 million contract extension on Wednesday, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL.

As the two sides negotiated the logistics of the deal, James sat out 14 practices but still participated in team walk-throughs and agility drills while serving as a mentor to his younger teammates.

As Los Angeles looks to make a deep run this upcoming season and for the foreseeable future, ensuring the team’s defensive chess piece was locked up for years to come was a priority.

Let’s take a look at some of the best reactions immediately after the news broke.

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.