Chargers Preparing Derwin James Mega Extension Using Kyle Hamilton Contract as Blueprint

Chargers do-it-all safety Derwin James is in line for a new contract, and the team is being up front about its desire to reach an extension with the All-Pro before the start of the season.

Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz spent most of his career rising the ranks in Baltimore, and it’s no secret in league circles that he will be looking back to that franchise for a template to secure a new deal with James. 

New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter coached James for two years in Los Angeles, and he will now coach hybrid safety Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. 

Hamilton is one of the few athletic and productivity comps for James on the planet, and his recent deal will at least inform some parameters for whatever James lands.

The Ravens extended Hamilton a year ago, one of the few key pieces they did manage to keep around from a robust 2022 draft class, making him the highest-paid safety in several metrics at the time. Hamilton was the first safety in history to secure a deal with a max value of $100M, and he will lead all safeties making slightly over $20M this season.

He earned that deal despite not being on the open market, which would be the same for James, and the cap also continues to soar. 

So one could make the case that James should earn a tad more than Hamilton, though he is a little older.

What Will James Prioritize?

One longtime agent, not involved in this process but who has worked out best-of-breed deals at other positions in the past, suggested the true crux of these negotiations will focus on what James makes in the first two years of the deal. 

“He’s pushing 30, still a great player, but with an injury history. Hamilton made $48M in his first two years. That’s what I would be focusing on here.”

Several personnel executives said they would be surprised if this deal does not come together before the start of training camp.