Chargers GM Joe Hortiz says it's 'high' priority to retain safety Derwin James

The Chargers' drive to keep Derwin James at the core of their defense underscores a high-priority commitment to maintaining a franchise cornerstone. In an interview this week on Up & Adams, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz told Kay Adams that retaining James is 'high, it's high' on the team's list of priorities. Hortiz recalled that, in Baltimore, James was the number one player on their draft board before a movement of trades changed the selection, and he quipped that James would have been a Raven if they hadn't drafted him. He called James 'such a special, special leader and person' whose leadership, energy, and talent are among the best he's encountered, comparing him favorably to Justin Herbert in terms of influence within the organization. The remarks underscore how the Chargers view James not only as a star safety but as a unifying presence across the building. His comments arrive as the team weighs long-term plans around a player whose leadership extends beyond the gridiron. Hortiz framed James as a rare blend of talent and character, underscoring the Chargers’ intent to build around core pillars alongside Herbert’s rising influence. The discussion highlights how culture as a factor in roster decisions.