Derwin James signed a lucrative $76.4 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday.
The four-year extension is the highest amount paid at a safety position in the history of the league, according to Ian Rapoport, a national insider for the NFL Network. The Pro Bowl safety will make a guaranteed $42 million including a guaranteed $29 million in the first year of the deal.
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley called James “an impact player” on Tuesday, according to Fox News. “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,” Staley added.
the bolts gone love thissssssss@derwinjames is locked in » https://t.co/MoU63Iyx2K pic.twitter.com/DU839Ll0AZ
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 17, 2022
This extension, along with the signing of Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson in March, shows that the Chargers are bolstering up their defense to combat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs’ passing attack. The Chargers and Chiefs play each other twice per year in the AFC West division which has been won by Kansas every single year since 2016. (RELATED: Wayne Gretzky Sued For Endorsement That Reportedly Contains False Claims)
Sources: #Chargers S Derwin James is signing a 4-year extension averaging $19.1M per year making him the highest paid Safety in NFL history. The deal includes a record-breaking $42M guaranteed. James makes a record $29M in year 1. Contract done by David Mulugheta of Athletes 1st
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 17, 2022
It will be interesting seeing if the Chargers can make it into the post-season this year, a position they haven’t been in since 2018.