A background story of the offseason is what the Chargers will do with their expiring contract players in 2026 and afterwards. Trade rumors surrounding WR Quentin Johnston have taken up most of the conversation online.
But two key defensive Chargers also have deals that are slated to expire after 2026. All-Pro S Derwin James enters the final season of a four-year extension he signed back in 2022. At the time, James reset the market as the NFL’s highest-paid safety.
EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu needs his first contract extension from the franchise after his rookie deal ends this season. Tuipulotu finished the 2025 season sixth in the league in sacks (13.0). He also had a career high 75 pressures, up 32 from the 2024 campaign.
ESPN’s Kris Rhim asked Hortiz if he had talked to James about an extension. Hortiz’s response:
”Yeah, we’ve talked to him, his representation,” Hortiz started. “And you know, I think that’ll heat up after the draft.”
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz gives an update on Derwin James and Tuli Tuipulotu extensions
In a follow-up question, Hortiz was also asked about Tuipulotu’s status in extension talks. He simply replied, “same, looking forward to getting into that.” But Hortiz maintained the focus is the draft next week before any player extension talks get more serious.
James is coming off his second straight All-Pro nickel season after a career resurgence under DC Jesse Minter. With how vital he is to the defense, it’s hard to imagine a Chargers team without him. In pass coverage, James allowed his lowest opposing passer rating (77.2) since 2022.
Tuipulotu also feels like a vital piece to keep after losing EDGE Odafe Oweh in free agency. Khalil Mack is playing on a year to year basis in the NFL and has considered retirement before. In addition to a potential Tuipulotu extension, it feels like there’s almost no chance that the Chargers don’t address EDGE early in next week’s draft.
Historically, the Chargers have gotten their big-money extensions done in the summer months. Rashawn Slater was the key extension the Chargers got done last year as they made him the highest-paid OT in the NFL. Prior to that, QB Justin Herbert secured his five-year, $262.5M extension in the summer of 2023. As mentioned earlier, summer 2022 was when James got his first extension with the team.
Extending James could also give the Chargers a bump in cap space for this upcoming season.
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