On Sunday Morning, the Associated Press released their All-Pro teams. Two Chargers ended up making the second team.
Safety Derwin James was selected to his second consecutive All-Pro team after a career season. He ended the year with 94 total tackles, six for loss, two sacks, three interceptions(which tied his career high), seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Under Jesse Minter, who is receiving consideration for several head coaching vacancies, he has been a huge part of the Chargers’ success defensively.
Phillips on the other hand, was rewarded for his special teams contributions. He led the Chargers in special teams snaps with 352 and finished the year with 24 coverage tackles, the second most in the entire league this year. He had 37 total tackles on the year, one for loss, one sack, and a fumble recovery as well.
Derwin James Continues to Set the Standard
This is now James’ fifth overall All-Pro honor after being selected to the first team and second team in 2018 at two different positions. He has earned second team honors this year and in 2022 and 2024.
“When he breaks down the team, three words, ‘Be the best.’ That’s the standard,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said about James earlier in the season. “He is the one that is constantly holding himself and everybody to that standard.
“He’s pretty cool because I want to do it because that’s the standard he set,” Harbaugh added. “We’re all striving for that.” It’s incredible to see that James can be such a leader for a Chargers team that has gone heavily under the radar over the past few years.
Most impressively for James this season was that he finished third amongst all safeties in pressures and stops, recording 13 and 34 respectively. To top it all off, he recorded a 68.4 coverage grade on PFF, which is a career-best for him. Many Chargers fans will be delighted that his hard work and dedication to the team is paying off.
Del’Shawn Phillips Earns Recognition Through Special Teams Excellence
GettyDel’Shawn Phillips(#53) has made his first All-Pro team
As for Phillips, this is his first selection to an All-Pro team in his career. His 24 special teams tackles are a single season franchise record, as his prowess in all three phases has shown up in the stat sheets.
“He has been everything above and beyond not only what I could ask for, but what this team could ask for,” Chargers special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken said of Phillips this season. “The way he handles himself, not only on the field as we all see, but the way he is in the locker room and the way he talks to the young guys, the way he studies … I wish we had a lot of Del’Shawns.”
Some might say that the Chargers, considering the injury woes they have been through, should have more players named to All-Pro teams. The defensive side of the ball especially could have had more names, as linebacker Tuli Tuipolotu had a career year as well. Still, it’s a good feeling when guys like James and Phillips can be named, as they are the leaders of their respective units and fan and team favorites as well.
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