He was a semi-finalist for top linebacker of the year in 2014 [3][4] On November 4, 2014, it was announced that Perryman had received an invitation to appear in the 2015 Senior Bowl.

[5] He accepted his invitation and attended the Senior Bowl as part of Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley's South team, but was, unfortunately, unable to play in the actual game due to a minor injury he suffered earlier the week in practice.

[14] Throughout training camp, he competed for a job as the starting inside linebacker against Manti Te'o and Donald Butler.

[15] Head coach Mike McCoy named Perryman the backup inside linebacker behind veterans Butler and Manti Te'o to start the regular season.

On October 18, 2015, Perryman earned his first career start in place of Manti Te'o, who suffered an ankle injury the previous week.

[18] In Week 11, Perryman and Te'o both returned from injury and defensive coordinator John Pagano named them the starting inside linebackers and demoted starters Butler and Kavell Conner.

On December 24, 2015, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles and sacked Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr during a 23–20 loss.

[21] Perryman entered training camp slated as the starting inside linebacker, along with Manti Te'o, after the Chargers released Butler and Kavell Conner during the offseason.

His position was challenged by Nick Dzubnar after Perryman suffered an undisclosed injury in camp and was sidelined for a few weeks.

[22][23] McCoy named Te'o and Perryman the starting inside linebackers, along with Kyle Emanuel and Melvin Ingram.

[24] On September 25, Perryman recorded a season-high ten combined tackles and a sack on Andrew Luck during a 26–22 loss at the Indianapolis Colts.

On October 23, 2016, Perryman collected seven combined tackles, a pass break-up, and made his first career interception off of Matt Ryan during a 33-30overtime victory at the Atlanta Falcons.

He also made a crucial stop on fourth down in overtime, tackling running back Devonta Freeman for a one-yard loss to set up Josh Lambo's game-winning 42-yard field goal.

[28] Perryman returned in Week 12 and tied his season-high of ten combined tackles during a 21–13 victory at the Houston Texans.

On August 13, 2017, Perryman suffered a serious ankle injury that will require surgery during the Chargers' preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks and was expected to miss 6–8 weeks.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley opted to have Hayes Pullard remain as the starting middle linebacker after a promising performance during Perryman's absence.

[39] In week 13 against the Broncos, Perryman recorded his first interception of the season off rookie quarterback Drew Lock in the 23–20 loss.