Atari

Bigby

“They like him a lot, the way he handles the nickel safety role like (Giants and former Seahawks safety) Deon Grant,” a team source told Pro Football Weekly. “I don’t see him being paid as a starter elsewhere.” Bigby recorded just eight tackles and a sack in 15 appearances last season, playing mostly special teams.

The deal is reportedly worth $2.5 million, with an additional $2 million available through playing time incentives. Bigby made two starts as a rotational safety in Seattle last year, recording 18 tackles and a sack. He’ll likely compete for the same role with the Chargers following the departure of SS Steve Gregory to New England.

He’ll have to hold off third-round thumper Brandon Taylor in training camp, but Bigby has the inside track. A hard hitter in his own right, Bigby has struggled with injuries and in pass coverage. He was a reserve in 13-of-15 games with Seattle last season, recording 18 tackles, a sack, and two pass breakups.

We suspected Bigby’s season would be over considering the 3-5 week recovery timetable. The Bolts have already used the “designated for return” option on Vincent Brown, so Bigby won’t be eligible to return if the club finds a way into the playoffs. Corey Lynch will move into the starting lineup opposite FS Eric Weddle while third-round rookie Brandon Taylor should see his first action of the season as a backup. Bigby, the Chargers’ second-leading tackler, is due a $1 million salary on top of a $500,000 roster bonus in 2013.

A source tells the U-T San Diego that the injury is “pretty bad.” With just five games left in the season, Bigby will be a candidate for injured reserve. The 31-year-old had been the Chargers’ second-leading tackler (68) through 11 games. Corey Lynch took Bigby’s place after the injury while a concussion and hamstring injury sidelined Eric Weddle and Darrell Stuckey respectively.

Bigby was hurt in the second quarter and was replaced in the lineup by Corey Lynch. The Jamaica native entered the contest with 65 tackles in 10 starts.

San Diego signed Bigby to a two-year deal last offseason. He started 11 games for the Bolts and racked up 68 tackles and three pass deflections before finishing the season on injured reserve with a groin injury. Bigby, 32, wasn’t very good in coverage, and his market will likely be pretty lean in a deep free-agent safety class. The Chargers saved $1.5 million against the cap with the move.

Our sleeper for the distinction is James Starks, but Burnett does have an easier road to snaps than first-rounder Bryan Bulaga (Mark Tauscher, Chad Clifton) or second-round pick Mike Neal (Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, B.J. Raji). Incumbent SS Atari Bigby is a mediocre pass defender, though he has 10 picks over the last three seasons. It should be an intense camp battle.

However, he lost a ton of leverage when the Packers traded up to draft his possible replacement, Morgan Burnett, so Bigby’s mind may have since changed. Bigby, like so many players, desires a long-term contract. He hasn’t played well enough and isn’t irreplaceable, though, so he won’t get one.

Underwood is in the mix to start at strong safety along with Atari Bigby, Aaron Rouse, and Marquand Manuel, but probably the least likely to win the job.