Fellow NFL players had reactions to Derwin James’ record-setting contract extension
Derwin James is getting paid. He is set to become the highest-paid safety in the history of the NFL with the four-year contract extension he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday morning.
FanSided’s Matt Verderame discussed why the structure of the deal ultimately matters for the final total of the deal, but it’s reported at $42 million guaranteed, and $19.1 million per year on average.
The mammoth of a deal brought out reactions from the entire NFL world, including current players and fellow defensive stars.
But first, here’s James’ agent’s reaction, which includes a great reply from James on getting the money in a discussion with his agent:
NFL players react to Derwin James’ record-setting contract extension with Chargers
Rams cornerback and fellow Angeleno Jalen Ramsey was one of the first to congratulate him on the extension. Hilariously, he’s not going to be letting him get a free meal in celebration of the new money.
No jealousy from Saints safety Tryann Mathieu on the deal. Mathieu signed a 3-year, $28.3 million deal with New Orleans this offseason:
Falcons cornerback and former Charger Casey Hayward chimed in:
As did Cardinals safety Budda Baker:
It’s no surprise to see fellow defensive players celebrating such a monumental contract. The market dictating higher pay for a safety bodes well for the entire position group and defensive side of the ball.
The Chargers aren’t done spending money in the near future, with a likely extension for quarterback Justin Herbert coming sooner rather than later. The hope, of course, is to bring a Super Bowl to the team. The Chargers have yet to win a Super Bowl in franchise history, and haven’t won a championship of any kind since the AFL title in 1963.