Ravens Boost Title Hopes By Adding Eric Weddle

The Baltimore Ravens have won two Super Bowls thanks to elite defenses. Thanks to a proactive take on free agency this off-season, they’re one step closer to bringing that defensive edge back.

Weddle Chooses Baltimore

Per reports, the Ravens solidified the backend of their secondary on Monday, after agreeing to terms with long-time San Diego Chargers safety, Eric Weddle. The two sides reportedly agreed to a four-year, $26 million deal, including $9 million in guaranteed.

Weddle had been slowly narrowing down his potential landing spots after a bitter divorce with the Chargers, who he had spent his entire 9-year career with since being drafted by the team back in 2007. Weddle has been rumored to be heavily interested in the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders, as well as the Ravens, and was hoping to cut his list down to two favorites at some point this week.

Back to Defense

Weddle’s process apparently sped up when a team that both wanted him and was willing to pay him the money he felt he was worth. The opportunity to win comes in Baltimore, too, provided Weddle can live up to his contract. Baltimore fills a huge hole at safety with the move, too, as they got at best inconsistent production across from Will Hill in 2015. The Ravens were at their best when their defenses were able to set the tone for their championship teams, but haven’t been the same since losing star enforcers such as Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

In response to a text from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune, Weddle voiced his pleasure in being part of a new, winning franchise:

“I couldn’t be more excited and pumped to be a part of a championship organization who wanted me from Day One.”

Bringing the 31-year old Weddle into the fold could be the step in the right direction, and could be one of the few missing links between a struggling team and a legit Super Bowl contender. While slowly exiting his prime, Weddle remains a quality coverage safety who can make plays on the ball and also is a sure tackler and strong last resort for the defense. Weddle has also stayed remarkably healthy throughout his nine-year run, missing just three games due to injury.

Title Contenders?

Adding Weddle certainly doesn’t cure the Ravens of all that ails them, but it’s a step in the right direction. The backend of their defensive backfield is now hypothetically fixed, and should go a long way in shoring up an embattled secondary. The Ravens will still need to bounce back from a brutal season of rough injuries, including season-ending injuries to Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs, Justin Forsett and Steve Smith Sr., among others. Weddle’s arrival should help the Ravens battle back for a top spot in the ultra competitive AFC North, but it’s possible more work needs to be done before they can be a safe Super Bowl pick.