Derwin James staying engaged with Chargers during his ‘hold-in’ – AFC West

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Derwin James Jr. stood alongside pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the sideline when the Los Angeles Chargers opened training camp this week.

But when Bosa and Mack jogged onto the field, James stayed behind.

A key playmaker on the Bolts’ revamped defense, James won’t be participating in practices until an agreement is reached on a contract extension. The safety is currently scheduled to earn $9 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal.

“There is full respect on both sides,” coach Brandon Staley said about ongoing negotiations between the Chargers and James’ agent, David Mulugheta. “They know how much we love Derwin. Derwin knows how much we love him. We’re just working through that process right now.”

James, 25, is not expected to be made available to reporters until an agreement is reached. However, while representing the Chargers at a charitable event four days before reporting to training camp, James told ESPN, “Yeah, for sure,” when asked if felt good about where negotiations stood.

James is anticipated to earn a deal that will place him among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. Through four practices, James has stepped onto the field only for walk-throughs and to support teammates during position group drills. He’s received plenty of support in return.

“I’ve been talking to him on the side, obviously, and he’s — I think — doing the right thing,” said Bosa, who agreed to terms on an extension two years ago, only hours ahead of the deadline to report to training camp. “He obviously deserves whatever he’s going to get. He puts in 100 percent every single day. He’s just making the best decision for him right now.”

A two-time first-team All-Pro selection, James’ versatility and leadership is needed among a unit that struggled last season but now has lofty expectations following the offseason acquisitions of Mack, cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day.

Navigating his first contract hold-in as a head coach, Staley has attempted to express patience with the process and shied away from providing any expectation of…