With training camps and the NFL preseason in full swing, there was a huge deal to report on Wednesday as Derwin James agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The new deal makes James the highest-paid safety in NFL history, putting him slightly ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers two-time All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick, who signed a four-year, $73.6 million contract extension this past June.
James is represented by agent David Mulugheta, who helped Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey secure a five-year, $100 million contract extension before the start of the 2020 season.
Ramsey took to Twitter to congratulate James on his record-setting contract and joked that dinner is on him now:
LETS GO!!!!! Dinner on you now lil bro @DerwinJames … you deserve this new contract more than anyone!
BEST IN THE BUSINESS! pic.twitter.com/FNfDMi7ms8— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) August 17, 2022
We used to really talk about & dream about shid like this! Aye idc I’m turnt up for my brother today!
Derwin THAT DUDE FR!& David too
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) August 17, 2022
After being made aware of the tweet, James quipped that he would buy something for Ramsey off the $1 menu at McDonald’s before saying he will treat him to a nice dinner:
text us ur order @jalenramsey pic.twitter.com/eGjf1yKuwa
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 17, 2022
Ramsey and James have a friendship that dates back to their time at Florida State. Their journeys have taken them to L.A. — albeit on different teams — where they now are arguably the best players at their respective positions.
While they are rivals on the field, Ramsey and James were among a group of NFL players who invested in the National Cycling League. Mulugheta is the co-founder of the NCL.
The NCL will consist of a series of closed-course races around the country, with events scheduled in Miami, Atlanta, Denver and Chicago. It’ll also feature a new scoring system that ensures the NCL will deliver the “most exciting bike races in the world.”
