As a defensive lineman in a predominantly 3-4 alignment, Corey Liuget's probably used to not getting much in the way of headline attention.
The trenches are, by nature, an anonymous, workmanlike area of the field where bodies blend and limbs flail.
Liuget, the San Diego Chargers former first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, has turned himself into a high-quality, steady producer for the Bolts. He has missed only one game in his four-year NFL career and has now amassed 18 sacks, despite playing a position not known for producing pass-rushers and predicated almost solely on the ability to stop the run.
While Liuget has yet to reach any Pro Bowls or be named to any All-Pro teams, it seems the Chargers and GM Tom Telesco are well aware of Liuget's pivotal role on the team - so much so, in fact, that they've placed importance on getting an extension done with him, possibly ahead even of safety Eric Weddle and franchise quarterback Philip Rivers.
"While the focus has been on Philip Rivers & Eric Weddle, #Chargers are quietly working on an extension for DE Corey Liuget. He's a priority," Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted Monday.
Weddle has, of course, made noise this offseason about wanting a new contract. Mandatory offseason work doesn't start for the Chargers until June 16 and the 30-year-old Weddle, who said he felt "highly, highly disrespected," made it clear last month that he was in no hurry to report.
Telesco indicted in April that the team would engage in discussions with Weddle at some point.
Rivers on the other hand, has been reticent to rework his deal, which expires after 2015, as talk of a possible Los Angeles relocation for the Chargers franchise swirled and rumors that Telesco and head coach Mike McCoy were enamored with Marcus Mariota picked up steam.
That talk has changed in recent weeks - Rivers said it would be "awesome" to end his career as a Charger - but there's been no indication of dicussions of a deal from either side.
All the while Liuget has remained mum, quietly going about the business of preparing for another NFL season.
If Rapoport's report is accurate, he should soon be signing a new deal that will keep him anchored to the Chargers defensive line for many seasons to come - likely well after Weddle has departed and, like Rivers, possibly for the remainder of his NFL career.
