Eric Weddle has never been one to beat around the bush. Now at odds with the Chargers over his contract situation, he’s staying true to form. The safety read a prepared statement to Bolts beat writers and then conducted a 15 minute Q&A, as Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego writes.
“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 as part of the statement. “It is obvious to me I am not part of this organization’s long-term plans. The NFL is a business, and I can accept that. I just wish the organization had been upfront with me from day one.”
The veteran went on to reiterate the position of agent David Canter, explaining that he is prepared play his final season in San Diego. If there is no agreement on a multi-year extension before training camp, Weddle says that his agent will not “speak to the Chargers again.”
Weddle, who skipped all of the Chargers voluntary workouts, is scheduled to make $7.5MM in base salary in the final year of a five-year, $40MM deal, making him the fourth-highest paid safety in terms of total compensation in 2015. In late April, GM Tom Telesco indicated that, while he was focused on the draft at that point, he eventually wanted to discuss Weddle’s contract. Ultimately, that didn’t wind up happening.
Weddle has been the Chargers’ starting safety since 2008 and he has not missed a regular season start since the 2009 season. In 2014, Weddle racked up 114 total tackles to go along with eight pass deflections and an interception. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated the three-time Pro Bowler as the best overall safety in the NFL last season with a +18.9 overall grade.