Chargers won't offer Eric Weddle extension in last season of deal

SAN DIEGO -- Veteran safety Eric Weddle has been informed by the San Diego Chargers that the team will not pursue contract extension talks with him this year.

"He'll be excited about playing this year and then hit free agency," Weddle's agent, David Canter, told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The 30-year-old safety, who is entering the final year of his contract, has skipped the Chargers' voluntary workouts amid desires for a contract extension.

Monday's news was first reported by the Union-Tribune and later confirmed to ESPN.com by Weddle.

Because the workouts are voluntary, Weddle will not be subject to fines until the team's three-day mandatory minicamp begins June 16.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, players can be fined $69,455 for missing the entire minicamp.

Weddle is scheduled to make $7.5 million in base salary in the final year of a five-year, $40 million deal. That makes Weddle the fourth-highest paid safety in terms of total compensation in 2015.

Weddle led the Chargers with 114 combined tackles in 2014, the third time in his eight-year career that he finished with at least 100 tackles in a season. Weddle also forced two fumbles, corralled an interception and finished with eight pass breakups.

Weddle is the only safety in the NFL named first or second-team All-Pro for five straight seasons.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco had told reporters during a predraft news conference in April that the team would shift its focus to signing foundational players in the final year of their contract like Weddle, Philip RiversandCorey Liugetonce the draft was over.

"He's a major part of our football team," Telesco had said of Weddle. "He's an excellent football player, and sure, our future would have him involved, there's no doubt. We're a better football team with him."