Derwin James reaches new 3-year, $75.6 million deal with Chargers to become highest-paid safety in the NFL

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed safety Derwin James to a new three-year, $75.6 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL at over $25 million per season. The deal, reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, narrowly surpasses the previous record set by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton. James had been earning approximately $19.1 million per season under his previous contract, which was set to expire after the upcoming season.