San Diego Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson Helps To Decide His Fate

Hall of Fame players are never locks to remain in one uniform. Joe Montana finished his career in Kansas City. Jerry Rice donned silver and black. Don’t be surprised if LaDainian Tomlinson is not wearing lightning bolts next year.

The speculation began last offseason after an 1,110 year downturn after six consecutive seasons of over 1,300 yards (five of the six over 1,450). Tomlinson’s weighty contract was a concern as the mileage of seven 300+ carry seasons appeared to be catching up with him.

The two sides eventually came to an accord in a renegotiated contract that kept Tomlinson in a Charger uniform for the 2009 season. While an attempt at loyalty in the sports world was admirable, the results were underwhelming. Tomlinson’s $5.7 million salary netted only 730 yards and included only his second and third regular season games missed in his career.

His playoffs ended in a similar fashion with 24 yards on 12 carries, holding true to an unfortunate trend where he has averaged over 40 less yards in his seven playoff appearance than the 88.5 yard per game average he holds across his regular season career.

Following that playoffs it was already thought likely Tomlinson would be gone from the team at some point in the offseason. The one possibility to retain the former TCU standout would be a substantial reduction in salary via a second renegotiation.

Tomlinson quashed that possibility in a radio interview where he stated that he would not restructure his current deal "under any circumstances."

Tomlinson went on to explain his concerns with the San Diego team, noting its locker room culture and attacking its lack of focus.

“There’s a big part of this year where for whatever reason, I didn’t feel connected—as far as the team—the kind of unity, togetherness, family,” Tomlinson explained, “I didn’t feel that at times in the  season...that was a problem in the locker room.”

He went on to say, “we’re at a point where guys come into the league it’s not about the same values no more,” Tomlinson continued. “It’s not about the things that you’re taught—faith, family football. To them it’s not about that no more…That’s the thing that’s so disappointing to me, is because I can’t deal with that no more. If that’s gonna be allowed. I just can’t deal with that type of stuff.”

He failed to explain whether the statements reflected individual players, such as legally challenged Pro Bowl receiver Vincent Jackson, or the team’s locker room as a whole. 

The team already seemed to show a shift away from Tomlinson as a focal point as the year went on. Tomlinson averaged 14.6 carries per game across the final six games after netting nearly 20 a game in the six previous.

Tomlinson’s contract would be difficult to move via trade, though not entirely impossible. More likely will be a Charger’s buyout that leaves both he and the team free to pursue their own ends in the offseason for mutual benefit.