The LA Chargers had to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 without Derwin James, who was suspended for one game by the NFL due to an unnecessary roughness penalty for a hit on Pat Freiermuth in Week 3. Despite Freiermuth stating during the appeal that he didn’t consider the hit dirty, James’ appeal was denied. It seems the NFL aimed to send a message with the suspension, but James is set to return in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos. Jim Harbaugh voiced his opinions on the suspension prior to the game, and on Wednesday, James finally had the opportunity to respond.
He made it clear that the suspension wouldn’t alter his playing style. “It ain’t going to change s—, it’s definitely not going to change nothing,” James told reporters on Wednesday. “Like I said, I’m just going to go lower. I’m not going to change.”
Derwin James won’t alter his playing style for the Chargers
He pointed out that during the appeal process, the NFL didn’t offer him any advice on how to avoid future suspensions. Naturally, James is looking to stop losing hundreds of thousands of dollars, which he made clear in his comments to reporters. “I’m not going to keep paying $700-800 million,” James stated. “So whatever they [NFL] want.” Since his NFL debut in 2018, James has been flagged seven times for unnecessary roughness, ranking him among the highest in the league.
Most of these penalties have occurred in recent years, including a ejection for a hit against the Indianapolis Colts in December 2022. Chargers fans are understandably annoyed, but it’s more about the officiating than about James himself. His physicality is a key asset, and two decades ago, many of his hits wouldn’t have been considered dirty at all. However, we’re in 2024, not 2004.
The NFL has changed its officiating approach, and it’s up to players to adapt. Regardless of fan opinions on the league’s perceived “softness,” the rules are in place, and James has struggled to adjust. Is there an unfair focus on him? Perhaps. But he hasn’t taken steps to change that perception. Other elite safeties still play physically without accumulating the same number of penalties. Ultimately, James will need to slightly adjust his game. Maybe just “going lower” will suffice, but only time will reveal whether that approach will work.
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