The Chargers had gone four years without using the franchise tag on an impending free agent.

Make it five.

As expected, the team won’t exercise its option to franchise tag a player this offseason, General Manager Tom Telesco said. The tag essentially is a one-year deal that, in most situations, is ideal for neither the team nor player. Not applying the tag is the latest indicator — for anyone who needed another — that safety Eric Weddle will start a new chapter next month after nine seasons in San Diego.

It would cost the Chargers $12.12 million to tag Weddle in 2016.


A franchise tag provides a player no long-term security beyond a profitable, short-term guarantee. Likewise, the team absorbs a hefty salary-cap and cash hit for a year. Not since wide receiver Vincent Jackson in 2011 have the Chargers franchise-tagged a player.

“I don’t foresee any scenario in which we’ll use the franchise tag,” Telesco said.

Telesco followed with a more declarative statement.

Simply put, they won’t.


It has been clear for months the Chargers and Weddle are ready to move in a different direction. There is little need to rehash the past year that led to a fractured relationship. But for as public as every chapter to their fallout was — the lack of contract-extension discussions, the holdout from voluntary spring workouts, the team fine for Weddle skipping halftime on Dec. 20 to watch his daughter dance (he did not request permission), the team placing Weddle on injured reserve the final Monday of the season, Weddle running sprints that same Thursday to show he was fit to play — this next chapter is expected to be much more subdued.

Little to no dialogue between the two sides.

Little to no public comment.

And now, no need to wonder whether a franchise tag is or is not coming.


Outside clubs can negotiate with other teams’ impending unrestricted free agents on March 7. Weddle is eligible and expected to sign elsewhere as early as March 9 when his contract expires at 1 p.m. PT. A 2007 second-round Chargers draft pick, Weddle is not coming off a stellar season by his standards. But the five-time All-Pro is fully recovered from a groin injury through which he played for much of the second half. An intelligent player and strong communicator, he plans to join a team he believes can contend for a Super Bowl.

Regardless where he signs, Weddle and his family plan to call San Diego their long-term home.

Jahleel Addae, Adrian Phillips and special teams captain Darrell Stuckey headline the Chargers’ returners at safety. The team, projected to carry more than $30 million in cap space, may add a starter in free agency next month.

In January, both Weddle and Telesco made evident his departure after nine seasons was all but certain.


“The last home game (on Dec. 20) was hard because I still thought there was hope to come back,” Weddle said then, “but I don’t think that’s a possibility now. ... It’s all good. I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me. I had a great run. I enjoyed every second of it. I’m excited for the future.”

“He’s stated he’s ready to move on,” Telesco said last month. “For all parties involved, that’s probably (for) the best.”