The San Diego Chargers announced that the team has signed former Indianapolis Colts free agent safety Dwight Lowery to a 3-year, $7.2M deal with a $1.5M signing bonus:
Dwight Lowery Chargers deal: $7.2 million; $1.5M signing bonus, salaries $1.2M, $2M, $2.5M
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 10, 2016
Considering he played for $955K on a 1-year deal with the Colts last season, Lowery did quite well for himself to parlay a solid season in Indianapolis into a multi-year contract from the Chargers.
The 30 year old Lowery started in all 16 games for the Colts, recording 76 tackles, 1 sack, and 4 interceptions. He was really a breath of fresh air at the safety position from what the team had previously endured from free agent bust LaRon Landry.
Looking to replace star safety Eric Weddle, Lowery is a cost efficient signing for the Bolts.
Still, it remains unclear if the Colts actually made much of an effort to retain Lowery, as last year’s 4th round pick Clayton Geathers is waiting in the wings after an impressive rookie season–albeit in limited action.
With the Colts looking to get younger defensively, replacing Lowery with the 23 year old Geathers could be one solution to the overall problem.
Geathers was initially deployed as hybrid dime linebacker in passing situations last season. However, he received 2 starts later in the season, which included this vicious hit on Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman–who was knocked out of the game by Geathers with a concussion.
The 6’1″, 215 pound Geathers finished with 34 tackles, but that number figures to grow considerably if he becomes one of next season’s starting safeties. He could add much needed toughness and physicality to the back of the Colts secondary with his hard-hitting, attacking style.