Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals will be the last one as a member of the Rams for several players. Whether they’re set to hit free agency or in danger of being cut or traded for salary cap reasons, many Rams players won’t be wearing horns in 2020.
Eric Weddle is certainly among those players, both because of his age and contract situation. He has one year left on his contract next season for just $4.75 million, but the Rams can cut him and save $4.25 million of it.
It’s not that he wasn’t valuable to the defense this year – he was, especially with helping Taylor Rapp – but John Johnson is set to return from injury and Rapp is a clear-cut starter in the NFL. Weddle is one of the smartest players in football and he knows the reality of the business side of football.
“I know how teams go, and organizations, and to go in that direction like that makes sense to not keep the old guy around,” he said, via the L.A. Times. “Like that’s the reality. If I’m the GM. I’m smart. I know how those things work, so I’m just enjoying this week and whatever the decision — whether it’s me or them — it’s all good.”
Weddle, 34, may be the one who decides not to return in 2020, opting to retire after 13 seasons in the NFL. He’s had a very successful career and while he never won a Super Bowl, he did play on several winning teams.
As a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the best safeties of this decade, Weddle has plenty to be proud of. So if and when he does retire, he’ll be at peace with not playing in the NFL anymore.
“And if it is, I’m ready for the next step of being at home with my kids,” Weddle said. “I’ve missed them dearly for the last six months, so I’m excited to see them.”
Weddle was estimated as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury, but even with nothing on the line playoff-wise, Weddle will most likely be out there against the Cardinals on Sunday.
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