Saintswrath

So long, San Diego: Tomlinson believes Chargers will release him

Associated Press

LaDainian Tomlinson told The San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday what most people have speculated for months: He will not be a San Diego Charger next season.

"I’m not coming back," said Tomlinson, who added that he believes the Chargers will release him. "… I’ve accepted it."

Tomlinson is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, but he just finished the least productive season of his nine-year NFL career (730 yards on 223 carries). Last offseason, the 2006 NFL MVP agreed to restructure the final three years of his contract and take a pay cut, but he told a San Diego radio station Monday that he won’t do that again.

Tomlinson has two years remaining on his contract, and he is due a $2 million roster bonus March 5. He would be paid $5 million in total salary in 2010.

Tomlinson's agent, Tom Condon, said Thursday on NFL Network that "it would be sad" to see his client leave the Chargers