Chargers safety and four-time All-Pro who reset the safety market twice, most recently with a three-year, $75.6 million extension in May 2026.
Derwin James Jr. has been the best safety in the NFL for most of his career and the Chargers have paid him accordingly twice. His 2026 extension at $25.2 million per year makes him the highest-paid player at his position for the second time, a distinction no safety has held before him.
Path to the league
Florida State product taken 17th overall by the Chargers in 2018. Made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Dealt with significant knee and foot injuries in 2019 and 2021 that interrupted what might have been an unbroken run of All-Pro seasons. Signed his first market-setting extension in 2022 (four years, $76.4 million).
2025 season
Fourth All-Pro selection. Part of a two-season stretch (2024-2025) in which he produced 7.5 sacks, the most productive pass-rush run of his career under coordinator Jesse Minter. Played primarily in the nickel, disrupting runs, blitzing, and covering in man. Played 15 games.
2026 contract
Three-year extension, $75.6 million total, $57.5 million guaranteed, $25.2 million per year average. Negotiated by agent David Mulugheta. Surpasses Kyle Hamilton's 2025 deal as the highest safety contract in NFL history. James is the only player to reset the safety market twice.
Sources
- ESPN: Chargers make Derwin James highest-paid safety again
- NFL.com: Derwin James player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
16 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | chargers | 16 | 94 | 50 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| 2024 | chargers | 16 | 93 | 60 | 5.5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| 2023 | chargers | 16 | 125 | 86 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| 2022 | chargers | 14 | 115 | 64 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 2021 | chargers | 15 | 118 | 75 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 | chargers | 5 | 34 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | chargers | 16 | 105 | 75 | 3.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Safety
- Group
- defense
- College
- Florida State
- Hometown
- Haines City, FL, USA
- Age
- 29
- Status
- active
