Jason Cole of B/R reports that at least four teams inquired about Chargers S Eric Weddle ahead of yesterday’s trade deadline including the Giants and Steelers.
However, the Chargers took no offers for Weddle and insisted that he wasn’t available for trade, despite the interest from around the league.
According to Cole, there’s speculation around the NFL regarding the Chargers’ plans for Weddle moving forward. It would be strange to see the Chargers not field offers for someone they don’t plan on retaining beyond the 2015 season, and while they could get a compensatory pick for him, they wouldn’t get that pick until 2017.
This has led some to suggest that Weddle could be headed for the franchise tag after this season. Cole mentions that Weddle is from southern California and could be a part of the team’s marketing plans if they move to Los Angeles.
Of course, the Chargers could also try to hammer out an extension with him, but they reportedly cut off talks several months ago, so this would be a curious move for them.
Weddle, 30, is in the final year of his five-year, $40 million contract that included $19 million guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $7.5 million for the 2015 season before testing the open market next year.
This season, Weddle has appeared in six games and recorded 43 tackles, a half sack and two pass defenses for the Chargers’ defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 31 safety out of 85 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding Weddle and his future with the Chargers as the news is available.
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