Chargers in Talks to Extend Derwin James Jr., Tuli Tuipulotu After NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers are reportedly discussing contract extensions with two key players this offseason: safety Derwin James Jr. and linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu.

Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is pressured by Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) and linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

James signed a record four-year, $76.5 million contract extension with the Chargers in August 2022 Meanwhile, Tuipulotu is entering the final season of his four-year, $6.57 million rookie contract.

During his pre-NFL draft press conference on Thursday, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz told reporters extension talks with the pair would “heat up” after the 2026 NFL Draft, according to ESPN.

Hortiz also told reporters that the price of these contract extensions were one reason why the franchise has been frugal with their spending in free agency this offseason.

“We have players coming up that are going to be eating up a lot of that cap room,” Hortiz said, per ESPN. “… So the players we got, we liked. We really do. And we really feel like they’re going to help us. But it’s not like going to a grocery store and saying, “Hey, I need an orange.” And there’s a whole surplus of oranges. Free agency doesn’t work like that.”