San Diego Chargers: Eric Weddle is imperative in 2015

George Washington. Darth Vader. Burt Reynolds. What do all of these great men have in common? They were all great fathers.

George Washington (the father of our country), Darth Vader (the father of the coolest jedi ever) and Burt Reynolds (the father of being awesome) have all made an impact on the people they cared about.

For the San Diego Chargers, Eric Weddle is the father of the San Diego defense. As a team co-captain for most of his career, Weddle’s been with the Bolts ever since he was a rookie out of Utah just eight seasons ago.

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Unfortunately it was reported that Weddle is upset with the Chargers this off-season and has thoughts of taking his talents elsewhere next season. In an interview with Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Weddle expressed unhappiness with the Chargers’ unwillingness, at least at this point, to come to the table with a new deal. “I feel highly, highly disrespected,” Weddle told Acee. The 30 year old defenders stated that he wanted to stay in San Diego for the remainder of his career, but he also felt a need to show the Chargers that he was “not very happy” regarding the lack of progress in negotiations.”

The fact that the Chargers management would state that Weddle’s contract was “not a priority” is extremely surprising and is probably the reason for Weddle’s disappointment. However, last Wednesday, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco (via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego on Twitter) clarified the team’s stance on Weddle.

It may be me, but perhaps Telesco and the Chargers were caught with their tail between their legs. To state one day that Weddle’s contract situation “isn’t a priority” and then to state the next day that they were supporting a new contract shows perhaps a crack under media pressure or just poor personnel management on the part of the San Diego Chargers organization.

But, on the other hand, maybe in a democratic sort of way, the press helped Telesco realize how grave Weddle’s loss would be not only to the team, but also to the city of San Diego. It is a good thing for the Chargers to restructure Weddle’s contract for two reasons: a) Weddle’s All-Pro caliber play and b) Weddle’s contributions to the team’s dynamic in and outside of the locker room.

Not to mention though, the media tends to blow things out of proportion and could have done so with this entire Weddle situation. If Weddle was no longer a Charger, the Bolts would then have to go to free agency or the draft just to replace the empty slot.

At this point in the year, free agency is just not an option considering that the majority of the good talent has already been scooped up. In terms of his contract, Telesco and Weddle’s agent will come up with something in due time, but I think that the deal is pretty cut-and-dry.

Weddle is 30 and has probably about four good years left in the tank. I think a $15 million, three-year extension would serve Weddle and the Chargers best.

Thank goodness that Weddle wants to retire a Chargers because he is one of the Bolts best defensive players. To get rid of a guy with the character such as Weddle would hurt indeed. Since 2008 Weddle has averaged 102.7 tackles, 2.57 interceptions, 8.42 passes defended and 3.57 tackles for loss per season. He has been voted first-team All-Pro two times (2011, 2014), second-team All-Pro three times (2010, 2012, 2013) and to the Pro Bowl three times (2011, 2013, 2014).

Weddle holds a huge part in the Chargers run prevention as well as the passing prevention. He is one of the smartest safeties in the league and his intensity, athleticism and intelligence are arguably unrivaled by anyone in the NFL. His presence in the locker room and in the city of San Diego are enough to keep the former Utah Ute around for at least three more seasons.

Every team needs a leader and Weddle is the team leader in San Diego, California.

Next: Weddle and the Chargers secondary ready to do damage in 2015

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