The move reinforces just how valuable James remains to the franchise as the Chargers continue building a roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl in the coming seasons.

James has earned four All-Pro selections during his NFL career and has consistently established himself as one of the league’s most complete defensive players.

How much money will Derwin James earn per season?

With a three-year, $75.6 million extension, Derwin James will earn an average of $25.2 million per season, setting a new benchmark for NFL safeties. The contract reflects both his production and his importance inside one of the league’s most ambitious defensive projects heading into the 2026 season.

The Chargers understand that competing in the AFC West requires elite talent across the roster. The division remains one of the toughest in football, featuring powerhouse rivals like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos.

The extension also highlights the confidence the Chargers have in their current direction under head coach Jim Harbaugh. After arriving with the mission of transforming the Chargers into true championship contenders, Harbaugh continues building around elite talent on both sides of the ball.

Keeping Derwin James long term became one of the franchise’s top priorities, especially with new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary expected to maximize the star safety’s unique skill set.

During an appearance on the Up & Adams show, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz revealed that the organization hasn’t shut the door on a reunion with Allen. Hortiz confirmed that the front office has remained in communication with the wide receiver’s representation to gauge the feasibility of bringing the franchise legend back to Southern California.

As things stand, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre’ Harris project as the primary targets in the Chargers’ passing game. Should Allen return, the 34-year-old veteran would offer an incredibly dependable presence to the rotation, allowing the Chargers to be ‘destructive,’ as David Njoku says.

Keenan Allen delivered a productive 2025 campaign in Los Angeles

Of the 13 seasons Allen has spent in the NFL, 12 have been in a Chargers uniform. Aside from a brief one-year stint with the Chicago Bears in 2024, the veteran playmaker has been synonymous with the franchise, establishing himself as one of the most prolific pass-catchers in team history.

Allen reunited with Los Angeles late last summer and, while the offense features multiple ascending talents, he still put up very respectable numbers. The veteran hauled in 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns, demonstrating a level of consistency that has kept the front office highly interested in a 2026 encore.

While the Chargers are deeply committed to building a younger, more explosive roster under Mike McDaniel’s offensive direction, Allen’s value transcends his on-field production. His extensive experience makes him an ideal mentor for the team’s developing corps, all while remaining a trusted safety valve for Herbert in critical situations.

What could a potential new contract look like for Keenan Allen?

Last August, Allen signed a late one-year deal worth $3.02 million to return to the Chargers for the 2025 season. With the wideout hitting free agency once again this spring, his next contract structure could look slightly different as both sides weigh his role and market value.

Market projections suggest Allen could command a short-term deal worth around $6 million for the 2026 season. Ultimately, any potential deal hinges on mutual valuation, as the Chargers boast plenty of salary cap flexibility but may look to strike a team-friendly agreement that reflects his changing role in a revamped offense.

In recent years, the Chargers have made numerous changes to live up to the high expectations of their fans. Last season, during Jim Harbaugh’s debut as head coach, the club reached the playoffs as a Wild Card team, and things are poised to progress even further this year.

Mike McDaniel has taken over as the offensive coordinator. He is widely considered a premier offensive mind, and newly acquired tight end David Njoku, who visited the club earlier this month, believes the sky is the limit for this team.

“I feel like we can be destructive,” Njoku said, via the team’s website. “We got the tools, we got the keys, we got the players to do it all. It’s up to us to put it all together. I could’ve signed before the draft in other places, but I chose to come here because I thought it was the best fit for me.”

Justin Herbert needs to achieve success soon

For many fans, Justin Herbert is the franchise quarterback the Chargers need to reach the top. However, the pressure is mounting for the former first-round pick to prove his worth and deliver a deep postseason run for Los Angeles.

In 2023, Herbert signed a lucrative five-year, $262.5 million extension that runs through the 2029 season. Having recently turned 28 years old, the quarterback faces a ticking clock to achieve the championship success fans expected when the new deal was finalized.

Over his six-year career, Herbert has compiled a winning record of 52-43. While the quarterback looked much improved following Harbaugh’s arrival last season, an early exit in the Wild Card round fell short of what the fanbase expects from this roster.

The Chargers’ 2026 offense looks solid

Entering the 2026 season, the Chargers’ offense appears incredibly potent. Justin Herbert leads a unit loaded with high-end talent capable of helping the quarterback spearhead a deep playoff run this year.

Running back Omarion Hampton, wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre’ Harris, along with tight ends Oronde Gadsden II and David Njoku, are just some of the explosive weapons the quarterback will have at his disposal in 2026.

However, the story was always kind of blurry. Was it his agent, his parents? What was going on that made Eli Manning end up with the Giants? Well, the two-time Super Bowl champion revealed it was him all along, to the dismay of his parents.

Appearing on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Manning said, “San Diego [Chargers] had the first pick, I didn’t really want to go there. I just didn’t feel like they were the most committed team to winning at the time.” He then added, “My parents really weren’t supportive. My dad didn’t like the idea.”

The Chargers weren’t the only team rejected by Eli Manning

As Manning’s agent Tom Condon was telling the Chargers that if they drafted Manning, he would just go back to college, a possibility of a trade came up. However, the team interested in trading up was Cleveland, and Manning didn’t want to play for the Browns either.

Then, the Giants looped in and made a deal with the Chargers, and they saw how Eli Manning won two Super Bowls for the G-Men against non other than Tom Brady’s Patriots.

Eli Manning’s career is a wild one

Winning two Super Bowls and being the MVP of both of them should basically mean you’re a Hall of Fame quarterback. In many cases, a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But that’s not Eli. He was as clutch as an NFL player can be, but his regular season outings were not nearly as good.

Manning has a 117-117 regular season record, with 57,023 yards, 366 touchdowns and 244 interceptions. Those are not eye-opening numbers, especially the record. Add the fact that he had double-digit interceptions in all but two seasons (which he didn’t play fully) and led the league in picks three times, and Manning’s Hall of Fame case is one of the weirdest in history.

Last year, the Chargers saw immediate improvement following Jim Harbaugh’s arrival as head coach. While the offense received a significant lift, the consensus around the league is that this upcoming season could be even better with a more specialized scheme.

During this offseason, the Chargers made a splash by hiring McDaniel, who is widely regarded as an offensive mastermind. When asked about Justin Herbert, the former Dolphins head coach expressed total confidence, confirming his belief that the quarterback is ready to truly master his position.

“We’re looking to master and be elite at everything that we do and being able to own the position in a new way,” McDaniel said Firday, per the team’s website. “Being able for him to own the position a way he never has and ultimately, for it to be obvious to everyone around that he’s playing the best football of his career.”

The Chargers need Justin Herbert to reach elite status

Mike McDaniel understands that Justin Herbert is the cornerstone that will determine the Chargers’ success. His expectations for the quarterback are sky-high, as he believes Los Angeles now possesses the necessary components to be a legitimate championship contender.

“I had very, very lofty expectations. Justin’s up there as one of the main motivating factors of moving my family here,” McDaniel added. “Lofty expectations and I can say with absolute certainty he’s exceeded those. Just very motivated and focused.“

While Herbert has been a consistently solid performer, some feel he has yet to fully reach his immense potential. This is due, in part, to the inconsistent offensive line play he has dealt with throughout his career, which has often prevented him from feeling secure in the pocket and fully showcasing his elite skill set.

Following a quick exit from the 2025 playoffs, the Chargers decided to make a major change to the offense. The club hired Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, a move that will have a direct impact on Justin Herbert.

Nevertheless, hiring a new OC is not the only move they have made to improve the offense. The club has been adding new weapons to help the quarterback, and a new one may arrive soon.

Report: David Njoku to meet with the Chargers

After the 2025 season, the Cleveland Browns did not sign David Njoku to a new contract. He is now a highly sought-after free agent, and the Chargers are well aware of his value.

According to Ian Rapoport, David Njoku will visit the Chargers on Monday. He is a seasoned tight end who had a decent tenure with the Browns, who dealt with significant instability at quarterback during his nine-year stay in Cleveland.

Njoku has amassed 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns during his career. He would have to compete against second-year tight end Oronde Gadsden II for the starter role if he joins Los Angeles.

Hortiz also said Quentin Johnston is not being shopped around. Hence, it seems like they would want to keep the roster intact, and maybe add one or two pieces via draft. Justin Herbert has had plenty of setbacks, but the Chargers want to make sure depth in wideouts is not one of them.

Keenan Allen had 81 catches for 777 yards and four touchdowns. He was the second-leading WR on the team, just 12 yards below Ladd McConkey. Even at 33 years old, he is still delivering the goods.

Ladd McConkey is still the WR1 of the team

McConkey has two years in the NFL and he has plenty of production for such a young career. He has 1,938 yards on 148 receptions and 13 touchdowns. McConkey has those numbers despite suffering a sophomore slump.

The fact is he should be even better this year. The Chargers hired Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator and his scheme could make McConkey one of the most productive wideouts in the NFL. It will be a sight to see.

The Chargers have lots of pressure on them

Since getting Justin Herbert, this team has had plenty of expectations. First, it was Anthony Lynn and then Brandon Staley. Hence, the team hired a top-tier head coach like Jim Harbaugh. Then, injuries hampered them, mainly in the offensive line.

Now, they have the O-line, the coach, a star coordinator, and are working on giving Herbert the best weapons they can. With the NFL Draft coming, the Chargers have a plethora of options to strengthen the roster.

“There’s a lot of rumors out there on Twitter (now X),” Chargers’ GM Joe Hortiz said. “And I can tell you this, I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I’ve had zero calls regarding Quentin.” The Chargers have until May 1st to pick up the receivers’ fifth-year option.

If they do, they will owe Johnston $18.1 million, fully guaranteed. Hortiz didn’t confirm the team was going to make that decision, and stated it is still thinking it through. After all, while they seem confident on Johnston’s talent, the price tag might not be what they want.

Johnston is a blessing and a curse

When playing at his top level, Johnston is a deep threat and touchdown menace. He is tall, physical, fast, and when focused, he is a problem to defend. Last season, he racked up 735 yards on 51 catches with eight touchdowns.

His big issue is the fact that he drops way too many balls. He is not consistent at all. In just three years, Johnston has 12 drops in his career. If Johnston is able to solve that issue and become more of a regular presence, he could be an incredibly talented wideout.

Johnston is yet to be regarded as WR1

The Chargers have plenty of weapons for Justin Herbert to exploit. Ladd McConkey had an incredible first year, but then suffered a sophomore slump. Now, it’s bounce back time. They also had rising tight end Oronde Gadsden. Hence, Johnston is a part of the offense, but not the first option on it.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, KC Concepcion visited both the Chargers and 49ers. The Chargers need a new wideout to join Ladd McConkey as WR1, while the 49ers signed Mike Evans. Both are in quick need to get another wideout to contend for it all.

Concepcion is probably the most mediatic wideout in this Draft. At least, he’s been getting spotlights from plenty of other teams like the Giants, Dolphins, Bills, Patriots, Titans, Raiders, Browns, and Panthers.

KC Concepcion recently sent a message to the NFL

Concepcion is not lacking any confidence. He recently left a message in an article written in the Players Tribune. He ended it with a clear confident “I’m the best receiver in this draft... I’m so much more than just a football player… if you’re a GM out there reading this, put me on your team… You’re not going to regret calling my name.”

The fact is Concepcion is regarded as a top wideout. Still, many regard him below Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon in the NFL Draft. Concepcion is not agreeing with those sentiments. Any team interested in him must be thrilled to see Concepcion have a chip on his shoulder.

Concepcion is a versatile, high-upside wideout

Able to play in the outside while being a primarily slot player, Concepcion can be lined up in many places on the field. That’s great for creative playcallers like Mike McDaniel (Chargers) and Kyle Shanahan (49ers).

Concepcion could open a whole new chapter on the book of a creative offensive mind. Hence, Concepcion’s sweepstakes have just gotten a whole more interesting.

Daniel Popper of The Athletic previously reported that tight end Oronde Gadsden could have a top-tier season thanks to McDaniel. Now, it’s been reported that Tre’ Harris is poised for a bigger role, and that Ladd McConkey could “have a bounce-back season in [Mike] McDaniel’s offense.”

With the possible departure of Keenan Allen, Harris could slide into that role, while also opening quite a lot of options for McConkey. Per Popper, “I can see McDaniel maximizing McConkey’s shiftiness and yards-after-the-catch ability on some of these same concepts.”

Mike McDaniel is creating plenty of hype

McDaniel’s arrival is creating quite the buzz inside the Chargers building. The fact is Justin Herbert has always been talented but hasn’t had the help needed to succeed. Now, with McDaniel, he could have two weapons develop into top-tier wide receivers.

McConkey has shown he could be a WR1. And for Harris, he is a second-round pick, so he has talent and there are expectations about him. McDaniel can help this offense as a whole. He must deliver on this expectations.

The Chargers are a boom-or-bust team

Now, the Chargers have the talent, the head coach, the quarterback, the offensive coordinator, and the prospects to win it all. If they don’t succeed this year, plenty of doubts and criticism will be over the franchise.

While the injury itself hasn’t been revealed, Fanatics reported that it is a minor one. Hence, there shouldn’t be a long time of recovery, but now the Chargers must face the scare and do their respective tests to see what’s up with the safety.

James is one of the best players on the Chargers roster, and is one of the best safeties in the NFL. However, he’s known to miss a couple of games every season for injuries. However, he is a very durable player and a captain.

Harrison Smith will replace James

The Fanatics Football Classic will continue and 6x Pro Bowler Harrison Smith will step in for the team known as Wildcats FFC. Smith hasn’t decided if he will retire or not, but after 15 NFL seasons, the end is nearer every single day that passes.

In fact, the Vikings released him in March 11th. Hence, the status of Smith is up in the air, except in the flag football event. Harrison, if he decides to come back, will be a cheap option for any team needing a safety.

The Chargers defense is old but productive

Going back to the Chargers, they have a strong defense, though a very experienced one. For instance, they re-signed Khalil Mack. They also have names like Denzel Perryman as well. It’s a very well-balanced defense that can produce at a high level.