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By Anne Erickson
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Justin Herbert is always going to be the player who gets most of the looks in Los Angeles. That's what comes with being the franchise quarterback. But if you're looking for the Chargers' most important player outside of Herbert, the starts with Derwin James Jr..
James has been the heartbeat of this defense for years, and there still aren't many players in the league who can do everything he does. One series he'll be lining up deep in coverage. The next, he's flying into the backfield to put hard pressure on the quarterback. That's the kind of versatility defensive coordinators dream about. With smiles on their faces.
More importantly, James brings an attitude that spreads through the rest of the defense.
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Every team has talented players. Not every team has someone who sets the tone the moment he walks onto the field. James has become that player for the Chargers, playing with the kind of confidence and physicality that teammates naturally feed off.
Of course, he isn't carrying the team by himself.
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Khalil Mack continues to be an important piece, even as he moves deeper into his career. He can still make quarterbacks nervous, and his experience gives the Chargers another respected voice in the locker room. Having a veteran like Mack around helps just as much during the week as it does on Sundays.
On the offensive side, Rashawn Slater remains one of the league's premier left tackles. His job isn't flashy, but it's one of the most important on the roster. Keeping Herbert upright and giving the running game room to operate starts with Slater winning his matchup.
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Still, if one non-quarterback has the biggest impact on whether the Chargers reach their potential in 2026, it's James.
Herbert will lead the offense, and the Chargers have plenty of talent around him. But championship-caliber teams usually have a defensive player who can completely change the direction of a game. That's him.
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