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Chargers’ Derwin James loves getting $75.6 million, but his mind is somewhere else
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- Chargers’ Derwin James loves getting $75.6 million, but his mind is somewhere else
Chargers' Derwin James loves getting $75.6 million, but his mind is somewhere else appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Chargers made Derwin James the highest paid safety in football with a $75.6 million contract extension. James certainly isn't complaining about the cash, but another priority has taken precedence.
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With his long-term future secured , James wants to win. In particular, he is trying to lead the Chargers to a Super Bowl title, via Dan Greenspan of the Associated Press.
"Honestly, I want to win, win the Super Bowl so bad, man, so coming out here and just working, working, working hard as I can every day, and I feel like that's what I'm so focused on," James said. "The money's good, yeah, it's good, but I can't get my thoughts off being the last team playing."
Since joining the Chargers in 2018, James has seen his team make the playoffs four times, including the last two seasons. However, they haven't advanced past the Divisional Round. Their last three playoff berths ended in the Wild Card Round. If it's up to James, that changes in 2026.
During the 2025 season, that safety put up 94 tackles and seven passes defended while tying his career-high with three interceptions. He was voted to his second-straight Pro Bowl and his fifth overall. James' entire seven-year run with the Chargers has resulted in 684 tackles, 46 passes defended and 12 interceptions.
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Re-signing their safety to a long-term extension was amongst Los Angeles ' top offseason priorities. But when it comes to James himself, his biggest goal remains trying to help the Chargers reach new heights. With pen to paper, he is set to be on that quest for the foreseeable future.
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Related: Chargers' Derwin James, Jim Harbaugh praise each other after historic contract extension
