Should The Buffalo Bills Explore A Trade For Eric Weddle?
By Tyler Olson
Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) sports a white dyed beard before the game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Weddle isn’t a happy camper in San Diego. That should excite Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan.
Weddle, 30, is heading into the 2015 season in the final year of his contract and had previously chosen to sit out of OTAs due to wanting an extension.
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Ever since coming into the league as a second round pick in the 2007 draft, Weddle has been a staple of consistency in a Chargers uniform. After playing in 15 games as a rookie, he’s started 16 games every season since 2008 with the exception of 2009 when he started and played in only 13.
To put his durability into perspective, Weddle has played in 98% of San Diego’s defensive snaps since 2011. That’s a lot of dedication for a franchise that’s choosing not to return the favor.
Statistically, Weddle has proven himself as one of the best defensive players in the league. The three-time pro bowler and five-time all-pro safety has put together two of his best seasons in the NFL these past two years. In 2013, Weddle accumulated 115 total tackles, just 12 tackles short of his season best (127 in 2008). This past year he fell two tackles shy of besting his campaign in 2013 with 114 total tackles.
Why Weddle isn’t getting the love from San Diego is absurd. Is he rolling towards the wrong side of 30? Certainly. Could his body shut down soon? Of course.
“His going above and beyond for them is why they won’t give him a contract extension.” – David Canter, Weddle’s Agent
It’s clear management in the Chargers front office is focused towards the future by the talks of Corey Liuget getting a contract extension before aging veterans such as Weddle and Phillip Rivers. If that’s the case then Weddle should be asking to get out before he’s forced out.
This is when Bills general manager Doug Whaley should make a move to help aide Ryan and his defense.
Buffalo has been on the wrong side of free agency the last two seasons when it came to retaining their top safeties. Jairus Byrd chose to leave Western New York after the 2013-14 season to take more money with the New Orleans Saints, and Da’Norris Searcy chose to do the same this offseason, signing a four-year, $23.75 million dollar deal with the Tennessee Titans.
As of right now, Buffalo only has one consistent veteran at the safety position — Aaron Williams — that’s all-but locked in as a starter once week one arrives. After that you’ll run into names like Duke Williams, Bacarri Rambo, Jonathan Meeks and Kenny Ladler. Veteran cornerback Corey Graham has been flirted with as a possibility of making the move to safety, and just as well may after the team chose to draft Ronald Darby in the second round of this years draft, but no decision has been made.
Sep 28, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) intercepts a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) as cornerback Richard Marshall (31) looks on during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
After moves to acquire LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin and Charles Clay this offseason it’s clear Buffalo is in a win-now mode. Aside from the quarterback, offensive guard and safety position, Ryan has a roster stacked across the board. A move to acquire Weddle could catapult the Bills as the favorite to take the AFC East crown but it’d come at a price.
Buffalo had no first-round pick this offseason after dealing it to the Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Sammy Watkins in the 2014 NFL draft. They may not be willing to give up a high-round draft pick for the 2016 NFL draft. A player of Weddle’s caliber may warrant somewhere between a first-and-third round draft pick.
That’s the first of it. After giving up compensation for Weddle, he’d want the same thing he’s asking for in San Diego: A contract extension. The question turns to whether or not Buffalo could afford to sign Weddle to an extension.
They’d first need to focus on the contracts of defensive lineman Marcell Dareus and Mario Williams. Both could be due to receiving an extension within the next year and are catalysts to one of best — if not the best — defensive line in the NFL. Management could clear space by terminating the contracts of Matt Cassel and Fred Jackson (up to $7.4 million) to make room for Weddle, Dareus and Williams but it’s unlikely.
It’s an interesting situation to follow as Summer workouts continue to take place.