Joe Horitz expresses desire for Derwin James to be a Charger for life

Safety Derwin James has five Pro Bowl nominations and an All-Pro nod over his seven years with the Los Angeles Chargers. If it were up to general manager Joe Horitz, James would be adding onto those accolades in LA for the foreseeable future.

The safety is set to hit free agency following the 2026 season. But Horitz has made it clear one of the Chargers’ biggest priorities is signing James to a long-term contract, via Kay Adams of Up & Adams, h/t Christian Gonzales of NFL.com.

“It’s high. It’s high,” Hortiz said. “I’ve told the story, in Baltimore we had Derwin up there as the number one player on our board in that draft, you know, the number one player available when we were picking. And we took a trade back and he got picked. I said to him when I first met him, I’m like, ‘Gosh, you should’ve been a Raven. We traded away from you, but I’m glad you’re not because I’m here now.’

“He’s such a special, special leader and person. Like Justin (Herbert), the talent is real and it’s there, but the leader and motivator and energy he gives to everybody within the organization, throughout the entire building, it’s so unique,” he continued. “One of the best I’ve ever been around in terms of leadership, talent and character.”

Over those seven years with the Chargers, James has put up 684 tackles, 46 passes defended and 12 interceptions. During the 2025 season, he recorded 94 tackles, seven passes defended and a career-high matching three interceptions.

James remains one of the most crucial and respected members of the Chargers’ defense. As Los Angeles tries to chase a Super Bowl, they want their star safety to be a part of that quest.

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