PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
With NFL free agency on the horizon, the Los Angeles Rams and safety Eric Weddle have reportedly agreed to terms on a two-year deal.
The Baltimore Ravens released Eric Weddle a few days ago. Now, the Pro Bowl safety has reportedly found a new home in southern California.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport has reported that Weddle will ink a two-year deal that’s worth up to $12.5 million with the Los Angeles Rams. This is a great signing for the Rams, as they have been able to pivot and replace Lamarcus Joyner without either breaking the bank or simply settling on a downgrade.
The Rams were wise to jump on Weddle as fast as they could because Rapoport had also reported that the veteran was receiving a significant amount of interest from various other teams as well. Los Angeles got their man for cheap. While Joyner did have a breakout 2017 season, he underwhelmed at times last year and paying him what he may be able to fetch on the open-market was not something that the team likely wanted to pursue.
Free agency is packed with a ton of other safety options as well, like Landon Collins and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Although, Weddle is a cheaper option who can bring a lot to the team’s defense.
Weddle is a ball-hawk who can make game-changing plays for a team that often times found themselves in shootout games last season. He can defend the pass and he can be an effective tackler too.
Weddle, now 34-years old, has shown minimal signs of regressing. Yes, he had no interceptions in 16 games last season. However, Pro Football Focus gave him a rating of 80.7, which rated him very high among fellow safeties.
The last three seasons of Weddle’s career were spent in Baltimore with the Ravens, where he collected 10 interceptions in 48 games. In 2017, he intercepted six passes, which was the second-highest single-season total in his career. L.A. defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will love having a veteran, impact player like Weddle anchoring the secondary.