The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly signed the best available player in free agency.
According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, safety Eric Weddle agreed to a four-year, $29 million deal with the Ravens on Monday. The contract includes $13 million guaranteed, with $9 million coming in 2016.
Eric Weddle got $29 million over four years, $13 million guaranteed from #Ravens. Includes $9 million for 2016.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) March 14, 2016
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Weddle, 31, was widely considered the top remaining free agent after the first wave of signings last week. The veteran safety took his time on the open market, deciding between a host of teams before picking the Ravens.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers were all linked to Weddle at one point or another in the process.
The Ravens will believe they’ve signed a playmaking defensive back with several good years left in the tank. The 37th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Weddle is a four-time Pro Bowl selection with five All-Pro nods over his nine NFL seasons. He didn’t intercept a pass for the first time in his career in 2015, but he still played like one of the game’s best safeties over his 13 games.
In Baltimore, Weddle will team with Will Hill to give the Ravens a tough, aggressive pair of safeties at the back end of the defense.
San Diego made very little effort to sign Weddle after the two sides repeatedly butted heads over a contract extension for much of last season. The Chargers signed Dwight Lowery last week, likely as a replacement for a player they knew was destined to leave.
Over nine seasons, Weddle intercepted 19 passes, forced five fumbles and averaged almost 100 combined tackles per year. He missed only seven games.
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