Chargers sign Derwin James to massive contract extension
The Los Angeles Chargers have gone through a busy offseason. They’ve added significantly to their roster in hopes of taking the next step forward in the 2022 season.
The Chargers have decisively taken another step forward toward that while securing their long-term future by inking star safety Derwin James Jr. to an NFL-record four-year, $76.4 million extension.
Over the course of the new deal, James now holds the new league record for the highest annual salary for a safety at $19.13 million.
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A day before James landed the contract, head coach Brandon Staley spoke about the importance that the star safety has in the team’s defensive identity.
“When I see him, I’m like, ‘That’s a defensive back,’ because he can play anywhere,” Staley said Tuesday via ESPN. “He can play either safety spot, he can play corner. … 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.”
There have been no questions concerning James’ all-around talent, but lingering concerns remain regarding his ability to stay healthy. He’s an All-Pro defensive factor, but he was limited to only five games in the 2019 campaign because of a foot injury and missed the entire 2020 season due to knee problems.
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James did manage to play in 15 of the 17 regular-season games in 2021. If he can stay on the field, the Chargers will have smartly secured a key piece to their success for the foreseeable future.
