Chargers lock up Derwin James with a multiyear extension

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Five-time Pro Bowl safety Derwin James and the Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to a multiyear extension.

The team announced the deal Tuesday. James was entering the final year of his contract, and general manager Joe Hortiz had said that keeping the five-time Associated Press All-Pro was a priority.

James has helped the Chargers' defense rank fourth in the NFL in total defense over the last two years, allowing 304.8 total net yards per game. The team led the league in 2024 by allowing just 17.7 points per game.

James, who turns 30 in August, will look to replicate those numbers under first-year defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary, who took over when Jesse Minter was hired as Baltimore Ravens head coach.

He has started all 98 career regular-season games played, with 684 tackles, 19.0 sacks, 12 interceptions and 46 passes defensed.

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A previous version of this story misspelled general manager Joe Hortiz's last name.

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