Derwin James makes history with record-breaking Chargers extension

Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. cashed in big on Wednesday with a history-making contract extension!

Chargers' Derwin James Jr. secured the bag into NFL history with his new multi-million dollar contract deal.
Chargers' Derwin James Jr. secured the bag into NFL history with his new multi-million dollar contract deal.  © Harry How / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

James agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

The contract, which has an average of $19.13 million in annual value, also includes a recording-breaking $42 million pay in guarantee money – $29 million of which will go to the All-Pro defensive back in the first year of his contract.

The new deal makes the 26-year-old the highest-paid safety in NFL history.

Caitlin Clark pens emotional message after her final game in Iowa
Athletes Caitlin Clark pens emotional message after her final game in Iowa

The Florida state product leaps over Pittsburgh's Minkah Fitzpatrick and Seattle's Jamal Adams, who previously held the top spots as NFL's all-time highest paid safeties.

While James hasn't revealed how he will celebrate the milestone, his former Florida State teammate, the LA Rams' Jalen Ramsey, suggested maybe a dinner date – with the star Charger picking up the tab.

"LETS GO!!!!! Dinner on you now lil bro @DerwinJames … you deserve this new contract more than anyone! BEST IN THE BUSINESS!" Ramsey tweeted.

Former Florida teammates come good

Ramsey was part of the Florida State Seminoles' 2013 BCS national championship team, as well as the one who made the 2014 college football playoff, a year before James joined the program.

In 2016 and 2018 respectively, Ramsey and James were selected in the first-round of the NFL draft.

James earned a first-team All-Pro selection in 2018 and collected two Pro Bowl bids in his first four seasons in the NFL, despite missing action in 2019 and 2020 due to injury.

Cover photo: Harry How / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

More on Athletes: