Eric Weddle Admits 2015 Is His San Diego Chargers Swan Song

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

There have been few safeties in the NFL better over the past five years than Eric Weddle of the San Diego Chargers. Despite not missing a game since 2009 and becoming a Pro Bowler three of the past four seasons, he still seem so overlooked, even by his own team. After a failure to ignite contract talks with the team, the feeling has grown that the 30-year old safety could be a free agent in 2016.

Some fans refuse to believe this is possible. No team lets a player who has 13 interceptions, five forced fumbles and two sacks in the past four seasons go. Yet San Diego seems content to do so, somehow believing age and frequent use on special teams have worn Weddle out.

While he disagrees with that assessment, he’s also begun to openly admit 2015 will be his last year with a bolt on his helmet.

"“I’ve come to realize you never know how long you’ll play. Especially with this group, there is not many of us that were here just four years ago – I think there is just five or six of us left. We are definitely taking every moment together, relishing the moments we have and the time we have and will most likely be the last year for a lot of us in this situation, we’ll move on to other teams. So we are going to make the most of it, play our hearts out for each other and go from there.”I enjoy the game. I love this game. But when you look around, I do look at things a little different, this being my last year. So, just making the most of it, enjoying the nights where we have when we are talking and visiting. … So it’s a good start, if everything takes that approach: treat each day like it’s your last, you’ll get the most out of every day.”"

What makes this decision by San Diego even more curious is they really don’t have anybody on the roster capable of replacing Weddle should he leave. The most prominent name is Darrell Stuckey, a 4th round pick from 2010 who has appeared in reserve most of his career and made his living on special teams.

Nothing about him says he can replace what Eric Weddle is to that defense from either a production or leadership standpoint. Perhaps things can still change before it’s too late, but doubts continue to grow.

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