Derwin James Jr.'s Defensive Calls for the Los Angeles Chargers

As the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive captain and Swiss Army knife of the secondary, Derwin James Jr. doesn’t just make plays—he orchestrates them. Beyond his 5 interceptions and 85 tackles in the 2025 season, James has emerged as a vocal leader on the field, using pre-snap defensive calls to align his teammates, exploit opponent tendencies, and shut down opposing offenses. These calls aren’t random; they’re the product of hours of film study, in-game observations, and a deep understanding of the Chargers’ defensive scheme. From adjusting coverages to calling blitzes, James’ split-second decisions have turned potential scoring drives into turnovers and kept the Chargers in contention for an AFC West title. Derwin James Jr.'s Defensive Calls for the Los Angeles Chargers breaks down the types of calls he makes, how he communicates them to the team, and the tangible impact they’ve had on the Chargers’ defensive success. For fans and analysts alike, James’ ability to call plays is a testament to his rare combination of athleticism and football IQ.

Derwin James Jr.'s Defensive Calls for the Los Angeles Chargers begins with the most common type of call he makes: coverage adjustments. As a safety who can line up deep, in the box, or in the slot, James has a unique bird’s-eye view of the offense, allowing him to spot mismatches or formation tells before the snap. For example, if he notices an opponent’s wide receiver lining up in a “bunch” formation—a tell that often signals a screen pass—he’ll yell “COVER 2, SCREEN RIGHT!” to shift the secondary into a two-deep coverage and alert linebackers to the potential screen. This call was crucial in Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, when James identified a screen pass to Justin Jefferson, adjusted the coverage, and tackled Jefferson for a 2-yard loss on third down. “Coverage adjustments are all about reading the offense’s body language,” James explained in a post-practice interview. “I watch how their receivers line up, how their quarterback shifts his weight—little things that tell me what they’re going to do. Then I get the guys on the same page fast.” Chargers defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley noted that James’ adjustments have reduced the team’s coverage busts by 40% compared to 2024, a key reason the Chargers now rank 12th in the NFL in passing yards allowed.

Another critical type of call James makes is blitz signals, which he uses to catch opposing quarterbacks off guard and generate pressure. Unlike traditional blitz calls, which come from the sideline, James’ blitzes are often “checks”—spontaneous decisions based on the offense’s formation. He’ll use a combination of hand signals and verbal cues (like “BLITZ 3, GAP LEFT!”) to tell linebackers and defensive linemen when to rush the passer, while he covers the resulting gap in the secondary. This flexibility was on full display in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders, when James called a “safety blitz” on third-and-10. He sprinted from his deep safety position to the edge, beat Raiders right tackle Kolton Miller, and sacked Jimmy Garoppolo for a 7-yard loss, forcing a punt. “Blitzes are about timing and surprise,” James said. “If we can make the quarterback think we’re in coverage, then hit him with a blitz, it throws off his entire rhythm.” The Chargers have recorded 12 sacks off James-called blitzes this season, accounting for 25% of their total sacks—a significant jump from 15% in 2024.

Derwin James Jr.'s Defensive Calls for the Los Angeles Chargers also delves into how he communicates these calls to his teammates, a skill that’s just as important as the calls themselves. James uses a simplified system of hand signals and short verbal commands to avoid confusion, especially in loud stadiums like Arrowhead Stadium or SoFi Stadium. For example, a fist raised above his head means “man coverage,” while a flat hand means “zone.” He’ll also tap his helmet to signal a “check” (a change from the original play call) and point to specific players to assign them to cover certain receivers. This clarity was vital in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, when the crowd noise was so loud that verbal calls were impossible—James used hand signals to shift the defense into a “Cover 1” look, which resulted in an interception of Patrick Mahomes. For the Los Angeles Chargers, James’ communication skills have turned a talented but disjointed defense into a cohesive unit. “Derwin has a way of making complex calls simple,” said cornerback Cameron Sutton. “Even when the stadium is roaring, you always know what he’s asking you to do. That trust is everything.”

A key aspect of James’ call-making is his ability to adapt to in-game situations, something he demonstrated in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos. Early in the game, the Broncos relied heavily on run plays up the middle, so James started calling “STACK, BOX RIGHT!”—a call that shifts two linebackers into the right side of the defensive box to stop the run. By the third quarter, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson began passing more to counter the run defense, so James adjusted, calling “SPREAD, COVER 3!” to expand the secondary and cover Denver’s wide receivers. This adaptability helped the Chargers hold the Broncos to 10 points in the second half and secure a 31-24 win. “In-game adjustments are about staying one step ahead,” James said. “You can’t stick to the same calls all game—you have to react to what the offense is doing. That’s where film study comes in; I know their tendencies, so I can predict their adjustments and counter them.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this ability to adapt has been critical in close games—six of the Chargers’ eight wins in 2025 have been decided by one score, and James’ late-game calls have been a factor in all of them.

Derwin James Jr.'s Defensive Calls for the Los Angeles Chargers concludes with a look at how his leadership off the field enhances his call-making on it. James spends 2-3 hours each day studying film, not just of the upcoming opponent, but also of the Chargers’ own defensive plays—identifying what works, what doesn’t, and how to fix mistakes. He also leads weekly “call meetings” with the secondary and linebackers, where they review film, practice signals, and discuss potential in-game scenarios. This preparation ensures that when James makes a call on the field, every teammate knows exactly what to do. “Derwin doesn’t just make calls—he teaches them,” Ansley said. “He wants everyone to understand why we’re making a call, not just what to do. That way, even if he’s not on the field, the guys can make the right decisions.” As the Chargers push for the playoffs, James’ calls will only become more important—especially against high-powered offenses like the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. For the Los Angeles Chargers, James isn’t just a defensive player—he’s a coach on the field, a leader who turns strategy into success. In the end, Derwin James Jr.'s Defensive Calls for the Los Angeles Chargers isn’t just about plays—it’s about leadership, preparation, and the rare ability to turn a group of talented athletes into a championship-caliber defense.