Chargers Set to Open Training Camp on Wednesday, Vincent Jackson Still a Charger

The heavens have parted and the football gods are now shining down on the gridiron. The four-month long labor dispute between the NFL and NFLPA has finally come to an end.

The 32-team representatives voted unanimously to approve to a proposed collective bargaining agreement that the owners had previously approved on July 21.

The unprecedented collective bargaining agreement will guarantee labor peace between the NFL and NFLPA into the next decade.

Fans all over the country (especially Chargers fans) are rejoicing at the sound of this amazing news. Plenty of fans (myself included) are looking forward to the start of Chargers training camp and excited to see their favorite players once again on the field.

Now that the labor deal has been cleared up, let the real craziness begin!

The Chargers and the other 31 NFL teams will have to squeeze an entire offseason into just 11 days!

Chargers Park will officially be open to players starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET. The team can begin negotiating and signing drafted rookies and undrafted free agents.

Essentially, with the new rookie salary system in place, first-round draft pick Corey Liuget could find himself with an NFL contract and introduced to the media by dinner time on July 26.

The Chargers can also start making trades with other teams and open conversations with free agents from all 32 NFL teams, but won't be able to sign any of those free agent acquisitions until Friday, May 29.

Any free agents that are signed won't be able to participate in any training camp activities until the start of the new league year which is scheduled to be Thursday, Aug. 4.

Could Vincent Jackson be among those trade talks?

Early last week the Chargers' wide receiver took a hard-line stance regarding his current situation.

According to statements made by Vincent Jackson's agents, Jackson wanted to either have the franchise tag designation removed or be compensated in the range of $10 million. Jackson took to his Twitter account denying the statements an reiterated the fact that he "just wants to play football."

As of Saturday, Jackson became the last of the 10 plaintiffs in the Brady v. NFL antitrust lawsuit to back down without having the franchise tag designation removed or being compensated. I believe that helped the players come together to finalize their concerns over the proposed collective bargaining agreement.

As of now, Vincent Jackson is still a San Diego Charger, but for how long?

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has constantly stated, "You're a Charger one season at a time."

It will be incredibly interesting to see how Smith deals with the new salary cap provisions that require teams to spend at least 89 percent of the current $120.4 million salary cap. Smith is well know by Chargers fans for having an incredibly tight wallet and for not chasing after big-name free agents.

However, the Chargers are sitting in a good position with $19.4 million available under current the salary cap.

There will be an incredibly steep learning curve.

The Chargers, who are one of the first 10 teams to open training camp on Wednesday, have 15 days to prepare for their first preseason game at home against the Seattle Seahawks. 

It will be incredibly interesting to see how things play out over the next 11 days, and if the Chargers will be good to go considering the short amount of time before their first preseason game.

No matter how it goes, I'm certainly glad to have football back!