Top Eric Weddle Landing Spots After San Diego Chargers

Jun 16, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) looks on during minicamp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Signs are growing that a rift has formed between Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle and the San Diego Chargers regarding a new contract extension. While time remains for something to get worked out, it’s hard to ignore how final things seem heading into the 2015 season.

If Weddle follows through on this threat to leave, where are the top locations he could end up next season?

Chicago Bears

Antrel Rolle was a nice signing for the Chicago Bears, but he’s 32-years old and expected to become their solution at strong safety. That leaves the free position, one that has haunted the franchise for years, still unsolved. There is no crime against having veteran safeties on the back end and a Weddle-Rolle tandem would certainly give offenses pause even if it’s for a shorter period of time. If anything it at least buys Chicago time to find options in the draft.

New England Patriots

This would be a classic Bill Belichick signing. The New England Patriots have no qualms about adding discarded veterans who probably have two or three good years left in the tank. In fact, it wouldn’t be the first time the Patriots got great use out of a former Chargers All-Pro safety. Rodney Harrison made a similar transition and ended up delivering some great seasons in New England while helping them win two Super Bowls.

Baltimore Ravens

Another franchise that loves to secure solid veterans to compliment a constantly shifting roster of youngsters. Ozzie Newsome is no stranger to that way of thinking. His maneuvers to grab Elvis Dumervil and Steve Smith Sr. reflect that. Eric Weddle represents the perfect opportunity for the Baltimore Ravens to solve a problem that dogged them at the worst times last season at safety (-9.8 PFF rating in coverage). Having Weddle on the back end would give them their first credible presence since Ed Reed retired.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Clearly the goal over the past year or two for the Jacksonville Jaguars was to find somebody who can pair with Johnathan Cyprien. So far their efforts haven’t yielded much fruit with guys like Josh Evans and Craig Loston failing to make an impact. Hopes are that free agent Sergio Brown can be that guy, but track record says that’s doubtful. Weddle would then make a great compliment to the young Cyprien, and the Jaguars have the advantage of money to spend.

Oakland Raiders

Often in the NFL, free agents prefer to stay within the same division. Part of it is because they are familiar with the opponents, know the tendencies and how to play against them. Another part is a little bit of that twinge for revenge. It will be hard for Weddle to resist wanting some against the Chargers after all he’s done for them. The Oakland Raiders make a ton of sense. They have money to spend, run a defensive scheme that demands good coverage safeties and can’t rely on the ancient Charles Woodson much longer. Besides, Weddle is from California and joining the Raiders would allow him to stay.

More from NFL Mocks

Home/NFL News