NFL Free Agency: San Diego Chargers Release Takeo Spikes
By Josh Hill
If 2-time Pro Bowler Takeo Spikes wants to play a 16th season in the NFL he’s going to have to do it somewhere other than San Diego. The Chargers announced on Thursday that they have cut the veteran linebacker and cleared his $3 million base salary from their books. Spikes has spent the last two seasons with the Chargers but is expected to hit the open market with the intention of playing in 2013.
“Takeo is a true professional and a class act,” Chargers G.M. Tom Telesco said. “We’re grateful for his many contributions to the Chargers organization, both on and off the field, and wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Spikes made his name in Cincinnati and Buffalo where he played a combined 9 years with the Bengals and Bills from 1998 until 2007. Since then Spikes has bounced around from the Eagles to the 49ers and most recently the Chargers. But Washington seems to be the next landing spot for Spikes, as he will likely be available for the 10-plus-year veteran’s minimum which is far less than what the Redskins are currently set to pay London Fletcher.
A.J. Smith, the former general manager of the San Diego Chargers, is now with the Redskins which lends to the theory that Spikes is almost certainly going to end up in Washington.