Then the Cowboys jumped in, making an offer that was almost identical to the Ravens'.
Weddle was overwhelmed. He decided to unwind with five of his high school buddies over a game of Tom Clancy's The Division. As they threw grenades and placed sticky bombs, they discussed Weddle's future in their headsets. Four of them thought he should go to Dallas.
"They were arguing about it," Weddle said. "I couldn't get in a word. I was sitting there, listening."
On Sunday night, Canter made counteroffers to the Cowboys and Ravens. The Ravens increased their offer within 30 minutes.
The Cowboys said they were not prepared to up their offer, but Garrett called Weddle, trying to get him to visit Dallas before making a decision.
Weddle and his wife talked for about an hour before heading to bed. Then they talked for another hour in bed.
Chanel fell asleep, and Eric stayed awake until about 1 a.m., staring at the ceiling and deliberating the Cowboys and Ravens. He kept going back to a few thoughts. The Ravens made the playoffs six of the last eight years. They have a strong culture. They handled the negotiating process professionally and sensitively. And they really wanted him.
Finally, he drifted off to sleep.
"Every time I woke up, I was dreaming about Baltimore," he said. "Baltimore kept popping in my head."
When he rolled out of bed Monday morning, he knew. And he felt a calm about it. He told Chanel he wanted to be a Raven. She agreed it was the right choice. So did Canter.
"When your heart tells you something, you have to go with it," Weddle says.
