San Diego Chargers Free Safety Eric Weddle Feeling Unwanted
San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle says the team has no plans of retaining him on a long-term deal and the front office has not offered him a contract that will assure his stay with the squad beyond the 2015 NFL season. The 30-year-old Weddle, who has spent the last eight seasons with the Chargers, said in a recent statement that the team's brass has not been honest about a contract extension.
"Despite our attempts to discuss an extension on multiple occasions, unfortunately the desire has not been mutual. Contrary to what has recently been said by upper management, there has never been any financial numbers discussed, and the Chargers have never put an offer on the table for us to consider,” Weddle said. "It's obvious that I'm not part of this organization's long-term plan. The NFL is a business, and I can accept that. I just wish the organization had been upfront with me from day one."
Weddle has passed on joining the Chargers’ voluntary workouts so far this offseason but his agent, David Canter, confirmed that the three-time NFL Pro Bowler (2011, 2013 and 2014) will report to the team’s minicamp.
With seemingly no interest from the Chargers to sign him to a contract after 2015, Weddle is prepared to play knowing he will hit free agency in 2016. "From a contract standpoint, if we do not agree to a multiyear extension before training camp, I have instructed my agent to not speak to the Chargers again,” Weddle stated in the same press conference. “I will give this team everything I have this year and head to free agency in 2016. This will be the one and only time I will discuss my contract, and I look forward to focusing on football."
Weddle, who is a two-time NFL All-Pro First Team member (2011 and 2014) and three-time NFL All-Pro Second Team member (2010, 2012 and 2013), has missed just three games in eight regular seasons. For his career, he is credited with 772 tackles, six sacks, 65 pass deflections, 19 interceptions and five forced fumbles.
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