Before training camp got underway, the Pittsburgh Steelers made safety Minkah Fitzpatrick the highest paid player in the NFL at his position. That reign, however, came to an end on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Chargers and their safety Derwin James have agreed to terms on a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
According to multiple reports, James’ new deal has an average annual value of $19.13 million and thus now resets the safety market, making the Florida State product and former first round draft pick the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, James’ deal includes a record-breaking $42 million in guaranteed money, with $29 million due to him in the first year of his deal.