James won't practice until new deal is done
COSTA MESA » Some extremely eager fans were lined up outside Jack Hammett Sports Complex at 3:45 a.m., waiting to get their first glimpses of the Chargers on the first day of training camp Wednesday morning.
By the time the gates finally opened a little before 9 a.m., and the early arrivals crowded the fence line and the adjacent stands, it was apparent one of their favorites was missing in action.
All-Pro safety Derwin James didn't join his teammates for their first day on the field, awaiting the resolution of talks for what figures to be a lengthy and lucrative contract extension. He was in attendance, standing on the sideline without his helmet in hand, but not on the field going through drills.
Negotiations are believed to be ongoing.
Are the sides close? “Yeah,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said.
James, 25, is in the final year of a four-year contract he signed in 2019. He's likely to earn a sizable raise from the base salary of a little more than $9 million that he'll make for this season. He had two interceptions and 118 tackles in 15 games last season, including 75 solo.
“We have full respect for Derwin and his agent, David Mulugheta, who is one of the best in the business,” Staley said. “I think that there is full respect on both sides. They know how much we love Derwin. Derwin knows how much we love him. We're just working through that process right now.
“We're going to let it take shape and when it does he'll be out there playing.”
James underwent left shoulder surgery in February, but he's sound now after sitting out of contact drills during the Chargers' minicamp in June. But that's not an issue, according to Staley.
“Oh yeah, 100% clear,” he said of James' status. “Derwin's ready to go.”
When the contract is done, James will rejoin his teammates.
“We're working through his contract situation and just making sure that gets situated here,” Staley said. “He's out here doing all of the walk-throughs. He's going to be working out, but he won't be going full-speed until that gets situated.”
Mack on point?
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack said he had high expectations for himself for his first season with his new team, after the Chargers acquired him from the Chicago Bears in the offseason. But he wouldn't say exactly what they were, promising that his play would speak for itself.
Mack also said he considered himself a good team leader, which was one of several reasons the Chargers added him in a flurry of offseason activity that bolstered their defense. But he said he preferred to lead by example, to “allow his teammates to follow what they see me doing.”
Additionally, Mack said he was healthy again after he had seasonending left foot surgery while with the Bears in 2021. But he wouldn't go into any details when asked point-blank about his health, saying: “First day out. It's a fun day. It's a fun day. For me, I'm not going to tell you.”
When asked how hungry he was after playing with the Bears and Raiders earlier in his nine-year NFL career, teams that lacked the success that the Chargers hope to achieve this season, Mack said, “How hungry? How hungry? You want to know how hungry I am? I'll show you.”
Then he walked away, smiling. “Appreciate it,” he said.
Camp competition
Among the best battles for starting positions is the fight for starting right tackle between Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins III. It's not likely to be resolved in the opening days or even weeks of camp, especially with the Chargers not donning pads until Saturday and not hitting until next week.
Asked what might settle the competition between the two players, Staley said, “consistency and performance.” For the most part, it will be left up to Norton, who started 15 games last season, and Pipkins.
“We're going to get a very accurate evaluation from them by who they have to block every single day,” Staley said. “Obviously, throughout the preseason games, we're going to have a lot of opportunities to evaluate these guys. I know that we have confidence in both of them. It's going to be fun to see these guys compete.
“I think it's not just about them, it's how they play with the other four guys that are on their offensive line, and, obviously, the other players around them, too. They've worked really hard. I think you can see big changes in both of them. They're both confident football players and that's going to bring out the best.”