Eric Weddle is one of the greatest defensive players to ever suit up for the LA Chargers organization. Weddle was a key staple of the team in the late 2000s and early 2010s, earning two All-Pro First Team, three All-Pro Second Team, and three Pro Bowl nods with the Chargers.
Unfortunately, Weddle's time with the Chargers did not come to a gracious end. Weddle left the team in 2016 and signed with the Baltimore Ravens. It was not a typical free-agent exit, though, as Weddle made his frustrations with the Chargers organization very clear.
It started with a dicey contract situation in 2015. In a written statement, Weddle claimed "if we do not agree to a multi-year extension before training camp, I have instructed my agent to not speak to the Chargers again". The two sides did not agree to an extension, and Weddle subsequently left.
That was not the main source of the gripe, though. The 4-10 Chargers fined Weddle $10,000 in Week 14 for not going into the locker room at halftime to instead watch his daughter perform a halftime show that was sponsored by the team's cheerleaders. Weddle has not been shy in sharing his displeasure with the team, even thanking the Chargers for lighting a fire under him after the LA Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021.
The Chargers now appear to be trying to get on Eric Weddle's good side
After all of this, it appears that the Bolts are trying to make amends with Weddle, as he is one of the greatest players in franchise history. Every week, the Chargers award three high school football coaches of the week based on the previous week's action. Eric Weddle was named San Diego's coach of the week after his team, Rancho Bernardo, beat Point Loma.
dub mentality 😤
— Chargers Community (@ChargersCR) September 6, 2023
big ups to Coach Guy Gardner, Dusan Ancich, and Eric Weddle for being named this week's high school coaches of the week! pic.twitter.com/6KRKd4Rs7E
According to CalPreps, Rancho Bernardo is the 173rd-ranked team in the state of California while Point Loma is ranked 225th, so it is not like Weddle's team pulled off a massive upset. It seems pretty pointed that the team decided to make Weddle the coach of the week.
It makes sense for the Chargers to try and rebuild the bridge with Weddle. The Bolts are obviously focusing more on franchise history as the team is finally retiring Kellen Winslow and Charlie Joiner's numbers in Week 1 against the Dolphins.
Los Angeles is also honoring Antonio Gates and inducting him into the Chargers Hall of Fame in December against the Broncos. As the team continues to lean into its history, it makes sense to try and make amends with one of the best defensive players in franchise history.