One day after talking with Vikings, Eric Weddle re-signs with Chargers

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings' flirtation with Eric Weddle was a brief one.

The talented safety re-signed with the San Diego Chargers late Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after Weddle's agent confirmed he'd had discussions with the Vikings.

Agent David Canter posted on Twitter that Weddle now is "the highest-paid safety in NFL history." The San Diego Union-Tribune reported the deal is worth $40 million over five years, with $19 million guaranteed.

Weddle, 26, always seemed most likely to stay with the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. But the Vikings reportedly were one of seven teams that showed interest soon after free agency began on Tuesday morning.

It remains to be seen if the Vikings continue to explore veteran alternatives in free agency or stick with veteran Madieu Williams opposite Husain Abdullah, who is expected to sign his restricted free-agent tender by Friday.

Williams, 29, has three years and $16.5 million remaining on a six-year deal that already was renegotiated once for cap purposes in December 2009. An NFL source said Williams wouldn't be willing to restructure if the Vikings approached him, although that hasn't happened yet.

Cutting Williams would save the Vikings nearly $3.5 million against this year's cap. But coach Leslie Frazier has expressed a desire to keep Williams, especially with the NFL lockout wiping out an offseason's worth of development for backups Tyrell Johnson and Jamarca Sanford.

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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