San Diego Chargers, Donald Butler in talks again
Julius Thomas (80) is hit by San Diego Chargers linebacker Donald Butler (56) after a reception during the first half at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Chargers most important free agent this offseason is inside linebacker Donald Butler, who is one of the top free agents at ILB/MLB available this offseason. The Chargers would obviously like to re-sign their co-captain before the March 11 deadline hits, and it will be interesting to see what kind of deal he fetches from Tom Telesco and the Chargers organization. Butler is just 25, and he definitely seems to be somebody that Telesco is high on, largely due to his playmaking ability.
According to ESPN NFL Nation’s Eric D. Williams, both Butler and the Chargers would like to get a deal done before free agency hits, and both sides have started contract discussions again. They decided not to try and iron out a deal during the 2013 season, but I’m sure both sides will work tirelessly to get a deal done before the 11th of March. Butler clearly fits the Chargers, and this team definitely doesn’t want to lose one of its most important players on defense, especially given all of their other needs on that side of the ball.
Last season, the third-year pro out of Washington recorded a career-high 84 tackles with five passes defended in 13 games, and he is a high-upside player at the position who can fill up the stat sheet. While I would like to see Butler become more consistent, he deserves a significant- though not truly lucrative- contract due to his raw talent and potential. He’s already a big part of the Chargers defense, and there’s little doubt that the team knows it.
The move isn’t the problem, but the timing is more than just alarming.