Derwin James Jr. is entering the final season of the four-year, $76.53 million contract extension he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. After spending all seven seasons of his career with Los Angeles, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said he wants to keep the five-time Pro Bowler around for the long-term future.
Nov 30, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) reacts against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
“It’s high,” Hortiz said on an episode of Up & Adams when asked how high of a priority it is to make James a Charger for life.
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Hortiz said beyond his talent on the field, James is one of the best leaders he has ever worked with.
“He’s such a special, special leader and person,” Hortiz said. “And like Justin (Herbert), the talent is real, it’s there but the leader and motivator and energy he gives to everybody in the organization throughout the entire building is just so unique. [James is] one of the best I’ve ever been around in terms of leadership, character and talent.”
James is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons with the Chargers, so it is expected that he will want to sign a new deal before training camp begins in late July. Last time James was entering a contract year, Los Angeles made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time.
During the 2025 season, James recorded 94 total tackles and two sacks while tying his career-high three interceptions in 16 games. The season prior in 2024, James set a career-high with 5.5 sacks in 16 games.
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It is clear the Chargers want James on the team for the remainder of his career. The biggest question is how much the franchise is willing to pay the soon-to-be-30-year-old.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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