Chargers’ Derwin James becomes highest-paid safety in NFL history: report

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Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. wasn’t going to go full speed at training camp until his contract situation was settled. 

The Pro Bowl safety can now be a full participant at training camp as James is signing a four-year, $76.4 million extension with the Chargers, according to ESPN. 

Derwin James Jr. runs a play at the Los Angeles Chargers' training facility in Costa Mesa, California, on June 15, 2022. (Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

The deal makes James the highest-paid safety in NFL history, as James will make an average of $19.13 million per year. 

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While James has participated in walkthroughs throughout training camp, he has not taken part in practice. 

"I don’t look at Derwin as a safety," Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters on Tuesday. "I look at Derwin as an impact player. If you were just looking at him as a safety, that wouldn’t be doing Derwin justice. For me, I look at him as a defensive back." 

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"Because he can play anywhere. He can play either safety spot, he can play corner, he can play star or money. 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."

Chargers safety Derwin James on the sideline during a preseason game against the Rams at SoFi Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

James was entering the final