Chargers’ Derwin James Becomes Highest-Paid Safety in NFL History – Opinion

Derwin James, the Los Angeles Chargers’ all-around defensive player has been named the NFL’s highest-paid safety. The All-Pro safety signed a $76.4 million, four-year deal with the team on Wednesday.

Derwin James was drafted 17th overall in the 2018 NFL draft, and he hasn’t looked back since then, when healthy. James was injured and missed eleven games in 2019 as well as the whole 2020 season. James is a veteran of 257 tackles. His career has included five interceptions, five sacks, three foreman fumbles, and 5 sacks.

According to ESPN, he spoke out following the signing.

“I’m feeling amazing … There was never a doubt in my mind [the deal would get done]. I just tried to do what I could as a player to come out here every day and get better in the ways that I could.”

James and the team came to an understanding, after Brandon Staley, coach, had expressed appreciation for the safety of the entire group.
Staley said James “earned every cent” of his new deal, adding:

“This wasn’t like every other big contract that gets signed, because you know what he had to go through in order to make it to this point in his career … He overcame a lot to earn this contract.”

James called getting the praise from his coach “a privilege,” noting it reminds him to be “humble”:

“That’s a privilege to me for people to be able to think of you like that. It’s a heavy weight for me. I have to work harder and be proud of it. Don’t get arrogant, just keep working and staying humble.”

The Chargers made a trade for Khalil Mak, their star linebacker. They also signed J.C. Jackson as a Pro Bowl cornerback and Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson as defensive linemen.

They have many big-time players on defense, so the Chargers can be the NFL’s best defensive team.

The AFC West will be the most competitive division in the league, and all four teams – Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos – could make the playoffs for the first time ever.

The Chargers will open Week 1 at SoFi Stadium, against the divisional rival Las Vegas Raiders.

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