THE JAMES FILE
Two-time, First-team All-ACC, 2016, 2017
First-team All American, 2017
PFWA All-Rookie Team, 2018
Two-time First-team All-Pro, 2018, 2021
By Lenn Robbins
There are hold outs and now, hold ins.
Derwin James Jr. is at the Chargers training. He’s helping new players such as edge rusher Khalil Mack and backup safety JT Wood understand the team’s defensive schemes. He’s even donning his jersey.
But James is not practicing.
Considered the best safety in football, James is looking for a new deal as he enters his fifth season. It’s a complicated scenario. James burst on the scene as a rookie and quickly was recognized as the best at his position. Injuries slowed him in 2019 and he missed all of 2020 after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus.
But a healthy James was back to his dominant self in 2021, posting a career-high 118 tackles to go along with 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, five passes defensed and six tackles for loss. There simply aren’t many safeties who can make more than 100 tackles, get to the quarterback and defend the pass.
One of the few who can is Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick who reset the safety market when he recently signed a four-year, $72.98 million extension. James is looking for a deal that supersedes that one. Both sides have said they’re optimistic a deal will get done.
For now, James in camp. And he’s out.