The New England Patriots did not stand a chance the last time they faced off against the Los Angeles Chargers, getting blown out 40-7 in front of their home crowd in December 2024. While a lot has changed in the 12-plus months since, one thing has not:
Derwin James remains a problem.
The 29-year-old safety was a menace against the Patriots last season, registering a pair of sacks as well as a fumble recovery. Naturally, New England is putting him in the spotlight heading into its wild card playoff
game against L.A. coming up on Sunday night.
“I think he’s got really good instincts when he blitzes, whether to go inside or go outside,” said head coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday. “I think he has a passion; there’s a love for football; there’s a play demeanor. He’s a very good tackler. He can cover. He matches up. He has versatility to play down, close to the line of scrimmage. He can play in the deeper part of the field.”
“Derwin James is probably as good of a unique defensive piece that we’ve played all year,” added offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Thursday. “He plays safety, linebacker, nickel, he blitzes, he’s down there in the front, he’ll line up in the A-gaps. He’s a special player.”
James entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick in 2018 and since then has been named to four All-Pro teams as well as five Pro Bowls, including in 2025. A veteran of 102 combined regular season and playoff games, he is a jack of all trades and center piece for a Chargers defense among the best in football this year.
During the regular season, he contributed three interceptions, two sacks and a forced fumble to the unit’s effort. And while it has been some time since Vrabel and McDaniels saw him up close — September 2023 and December 2022, respectively — both are well aware of his disruptive potential.
The same is true for quarterback Drake Maye, who was on the other side of the Chargers’ blowout win last season.
“He’s relentless,” Maye said. “He’s a great football player. I played him last year and got to know him a little bit at the Pro Bowl. He’s a great dude. He flies around. He’s got good instincts. He’s punching at the ball. He’s good in the run game. He’s good in the pass game. He plays some man coverage on third down. He’s always around the football. He’s got a knack for the football, and he’s had that probably since he started playing. He’s a great player. A lot of respect for him, and we’ve got to find out on every play where he’s at.”
