After sitting out the team’s OTAs in search of a new contract, veteran safety Eric Weddle will report to the Chargers’ mandatory minicamp this week, reports Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter). Agent David Canter (Twitter link) confirms that his client will be in attendance and will participate in all activities.
Weddle, 30, 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, so it came as a bit of a surprise two weeks ago when a report indicated the Chargers were shutting down talks until after the season.
At the time, Canter called the team’s stance “disappointing,” strongly suggesting that Weddle would opt to hit free agency in 2016 rather than attempting to work something out with San Diego after the season. Still, the Pro Bowler’s agent also indicated that his client would go all-out for the Chargers this season, so it makes sense that Weddle would show up this week.
If Weddle had opted to skip this week’s minicamp, he would’ve been subject to fines for the first time this offseason — OTAs were voluntary, so the veteran’s pay wasn’t docked for missing those. As Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets, Weddle also intends to report to training camp and will be good to go for the season, which may very well be his last with the Chargers.