Derwin James staying engaged with Chargers during his ‘hold-in’ – NFL Nation

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Derwin James Jr. stood alongside pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the sideline when the Los Angeles Chargers opened coaching camp this week.

However when Bosa and Mack jogged onto the sector, James stayed behind.

A key playmaker on the Bolts’ revamped protection, James will not be collaborating in practices till an settlement is reached on a contract extension. The protection is at present scheduled to earn $9 million this season within the closing 12 months of his rookie deal.

“There may be full respect on either side,” coach Brandon Staley mentioned about ongoing negotiations between the Chargers and James’ agent, David Mulugheta. “They know the way a lot we love Derwin. Derwin is aware of how a lot we love him. We’re simply working by means of that course of proper now.”

James, 25, shouldn’t be anticipated to be made accessible to reporters till an settlement is reached. Nevertheless, whereas representing the Chargers at a charitable occasion 4 days earlier than reporting to coaching camp, James informed ESPN, “Yeah, for positive,” when requested if felt good about the place negotiations stood.

James is anticipated to earn a deal that can place him among the many highest-paid safeties within the NFL. By means of 4 practices, James has stepped onto the sector just for walk-throughs and to help teammates throughout place group drills. He is acquired loads of help in return.

“I have been speaking to him on the facet, clearly, and he is — I feel — doing the suitable factor,” mentioned Bosa, who agreed to phrases on an extension two years in the past, solely hours forward of the deadline to report back to coaching camp. “He clearly deserves no matter he will get. He places in 100% each single day. He is simply making the most effective determination for him proper now.”

A two-time first-team All-Professional choice, James’ versatility and management is required amongst a unit that struggled final season however now has lofty expectations following the offseason acquisitions of Mack, cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day.

Navigating his first contract hold-in as a head coach, Staley has tried to precise persistence with the method and shied away from offering any expectation of when he’d like James to return to apply.

“Derwin has performed a lot NFL soccer, he is in all probability the least of our considerations,” mentioned Staley, who completed 9-8 and missed the playoffs in his first season as coach. “We’ll simply let this course of play out. As I discussed, and I imagine it is true, it is simply a part of the NFL — whenever you’re coping with a number of the finest gamers and contracts like this, it takes a while. We’re working by means of it.”

In 15 video games final season, James recorded 117 tackles (tied for No. 3 in NFL amongst all defensive backs), intercepted two passes, compelled three fumbles and had two sacks.

The seventeenth total choose within the 2018 draft, James earned All-Professional and Professional Bowl recognition as a rookie earlier than enjoying solely 5 video games the next season due to a foot damage and lacking the whole 2020 season due to a knee damage.

Following his second Professional Bowl look final February, James underwent surgical procedure on his left labrum and was restricted by means of the offseason program. He informed ESPN earlier than camp that he felt wholesome.

“That is the most effective I’ve felt within the final 4 years,” James mentioned. “And I can not wait to go.”

Teammates can not wait to have him.

“That is a man that we undoubtedly want,” receiver Keenan Allen mentioned. “He is the guts of the protection, coronary heart of the workforce just about.”