Chargers’ Derwin James becomes highest-paid safety in NFL history at $25.2M per year

• Chargers safety Derwin James inked a 3-year extension, making him the NFL’s highest-paid safety.
• The deal boosts James’ annual salary to $25.2 million, a significant jump from $14.5 million.
• Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz called James a “special leader and person” and a priority.

Derwin James isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

And that means the Chargers will have one of the top safeties in the NFL under contract for at least three more seasons.

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James and the Chargers have agreed to terms on a new 3-year extension that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid safety.

It is the second time in his career James will set a new market at that position.

James was going into the last year of his contract and was scheduled to make $14.5 million. His new annual salary will be $25.2 million.

A first-round pick out of Florida State, James has put together an illustrious 7-year career in which he’s amassed 684 tackles and 12 interceptions. Of those tackles, 19 are sacks and 40 are for losses behind the line of scrimmage.

In the process, he’s established himself as one of the best safeties in the game and one of the games true playmakers.

His ability to perform as a pass defender, run stopper and pass rusher is a differentiator among his peers and makes him one of the most feared players in the game.

His coach, Jim Harbaugh, recently called James the best safety he’s seen “in the history of the National Football League.” It was high praise to be sure, but warranted considering the impact James has made during his career, and the role he’s played as the anchor of the Chargers offense during his time in Los Angeles.

The Chargers have made extending the 28-year old James’ contract a priority this offseason. A point general manager Joe Hortiz reiterated during a recent appearance on the Up and Adams Show.

“It’s high, it’s high,” Hortiz said. “I’ve told the story, in Baltimore we had Derwin up there as the number one player on our board in that draft, you know, the No. 1 player available when we were picking. And we took a trade back and he got picked. I said to him when I first met him, I’m like, ‘Gosh, you should’ve been a Raven. We traded away from you, but I’m glad you’re not because I’m here now.’ He’s such a special, special leader and person. Like Justin (Herbert), the talent is real and it’s there, but the leader and motivator and energy he gives to everybody within the organization, throughout the entire building, it’s so unique. One of the best I’ve ever been around in terms of leadership, talent and character.”

Mission accomplished.