Six-time Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle, who announced his retirement in February, may be getting the itch to play again. According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network (video link), Weddle has received at least two offers from NFL clubs, and though he spurned both of those overtures, the 35-year-old is open to a return.
Garafolo says that an AFC North club made an offer prior to the season, and depending on when the offer was made, it could have come from either the Browns, Ravens, or Steelers. Cleveland lost rookie safety Grant Delpit for the year in August; Baltimore pivoted to the unproven DeShon Elliott following its release of Earl Thomas, and it might have welcomed a reunion with Weddle, who spent three seasons in the purple-and-black; and the Steelers were interested in Weddle before he signed with the Ravens in 2016, and they might have liked the idea of pairing him with Minkah Fitzpatrick in the defensive backfield.
More recently, Weddle received an offer from an unnamed AFC South club, which might have been the Colts, who lost Malik Hooker for the season after he suffered an ACL tear in Week 2. Weddle hasn’t found the right situation yet, but he might suit up this year if a contender that he like comes calling.
Although Weddle made the Pro Bowl during each of his three seasons in Baltimore, his speed was clearly in deep decline. He hooked on with the Rams last March after the Ravens released him, but chronic shoulder and knee pain led to his decision to hang up the cleats after his first and only season in LA.
Apparently, he feels good enough to make a comeback, and a club with playoff aspirations might covet his veteran leadership in a rotational role.
When he was with the Ravens, he played like he was retired.
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His first year with Baltimore Weddle had four interceptions and was the highest ranked safety in the NFL by PFF’s ratings at 92.8.
His second year was solid at 82.4 and in it he had six interceptions. He has 29 interceptions in his career. Slightly more than a third came in two years in Baltimore. I mean, if that’s retired…
If he doesn’t play again does he make the HoF?
No. Good not great.
No….
He was reliable and consistent, almost never missed a game.
But the beard was way more impressive then his play on the field.
Not with the Chargers it wasn’t. He was solid in Baltimore, but Weddle truly was great in San Diego. There’s no denying that.
His strength has always been in his football IQ, anyway. He’s never been otherworldly as an athlete.
Steelers don’t have the money to pay him.
They must be seriously cap stricken then. He’ll command next to nothing in pay especially in a prorated form(1/4 of season is already in the books).
Weddle played the last couple of seasons on experience, as his athleticism is gone.