Chargers exercise Derwin James’ 5th-year option

Good news, Chargers fans!

Somewhere within all of the news being thrown around ahead of tonight’s draft, it was reported by Albert Breer that the Chargers will be exercising the fifth-year option of safety Derwin James.

James, the team’s first-round pick back in 2018, did not play during the 2020 season due to a partial MCL tear that required surgery. The before, James missed all but the final five games of the year after injuring his foot during a joint-practice with the Saints.

But that 2018 season is something everyone in the NFL won’t forget anytime soon. James earned First-Team All-Pro honors after posting 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions in his first year at the professional level. He was an elite chess piece that moved all over the defense, and succeeded in every spot. It didn’t matter if it was erasing a team’s tight end or blitzing off the edge, James did it all.

Despite all the injuries, the Chargers would have been crazy not to exercise his option in order to keep him under contract for at least the next teo season.