Derwin James will undoubtedly go down as one of the best defensive players in LA Chargers history. Heck, he's already one of the best safeties in Chargers history, if not the best. This built-up equity has slightly distorted the current reality, however.
James had a bounce-back season in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. The 2018 first-round pick saw his production slip under former head coach Brandon Staley, with many believing that James was past his prime. Minter proved in 2024 that wasn't the case.
James' second season under Minter hasn't been as successful. It certainly hasn't reached the pits of the Staley era, but there has been a noticeable decline from 2024 to 2025. And with that decline comes a realization that is painful for Chargers fans to admit.
Chargers are realizing that Derwin James is no longer an elite, top-tier safety
James is still a great safety, that goes without saying. Every single team in the league would take James on their defense right now because of his versatility and his big-play potential. But he is no longer in the "best safety in the league" conversation that he populated just last year.
For all intents and purposes, it's been a fine season for James. He's clearly still a foundational member of this Chargers' defense but that can be both good and bad. Some of the Chargers' biggest strengths are because of James, but you can say the same about the biggest weaknesses.
Minter is one of the best in the business at designing unique pressure packages to disrupt quarterbacks. James makes Minter's job easier as he can line up anywhere on defense and get pressure on the quarterback. According to Pro Football Focus, James' 10 pressures are the second-most among safeties. His 49 pass rush snaps are the most.
On the flip side, James' struggles in the run game have had a negative impact on the Chargers' defense. James and third-year linebacker Daiyan Henley have struggled mightily against the run. This has allowed teams to break off big runs and get deep into the second level.
James has missed 10 tackles this season. He has the 75th-ranked run defense grade among safeties this season.
Big-play James also hasn't made many big plays in coverage, which has been a staple of his success in years past. James has just one interception on the year, which came at the end of the game against the Miami Dolphins.
Every interception counts the same, but intercepting a pass on the last play of the game, which would have just been a lateral-fest that didn't work anyway, is much different than intercepting a quarterback with a three-point lead and two minutes remaining.
According to PFF, James also only has one pass breakup while allowing 22 receptions in coverage on 34 targets (64.7%). Pass coverage has never been James' strongest area, but when he's not making up for it with big plays, the holes are easier to spot.
In the past, James could make up for the deficiencies in the Chargers' defense and elevate the unit as a whole. Now, he ends up being a part of those deficiencies. He's no longer the elite safety that raises the bar, he's a quality safety who can be targeted in different areas.
Every team would still take this version of James even if he isn't playing at his best. But with just one more year under contract (and another year given to father time), it might finally be time to envision a Chargers future without James.