L.T., Chargers agree on restructured contract
LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers have agreed on a restructured deal that will keep L.T. in San Diego for the next 3 years.
Per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, it is believed that the restructured deal pays L.T. the same 2009 salary ($6.725 million) as the original contract but less next year and in 2011. He was due to receive $17.275 million in the final two years of the deal.
Tomlinson, who was drafted 5th overall in 2001 by the Chargers, had his worst NFL season of his 8-year career. He rushed for 1,110 yards and 11 TDs.
He has never had a season below 1000 yard or 10 TDs. His streak of 8 consecutive 1000-yard rushing seasons leads active players. Steven Jackson and Thomas Jones are second with 4 consecutive seasons.
So with a 2010 roster bonus in the re-worked deal, the only certainty is that he'll be in a Chargers uniform in 2009. I'll take a wait-and-see approach for the final two years.
Per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, it is believed that the restructured deal pays L.T. the same 2009 salary ($6.725 million) as the original contract but less next year and in 2011. He was due to receive $17.275 million in the final two years of the deal.
“What he's done since his career started here, what he's meant to the community and the fans and the organization, it was unthinkable he wouldn't be here,” Dean Spanos, the Chargers' president and CEO, said Tuesday night.While it's unknown how much less he will receive during the final two years, Spanos said he was willing to “give a little extra” to make sure L.T. stays in San Diego.
Tomlinson, who was drafted 5th overall in 2001 by the Chargers, had his worst NFL season of his 8-year career. He rushed for 1,110 yards and 11 TDs.
He has never had a season below 1000 yard or 10 TDs. His streak of 8 consecutive 1000-yard rushing seasons leads active players. Steven Jackson and Thomas Jones are second with 4 consecutive seasons.
“I love San Diego and being a part of this team with my teammates,” Tomlinson said in the statement. “My No. 1 priority was to stay here in San Diego. I truly believe this is the place that gives me the best chance to be successful and win a championship. I want to finish the job we started when I got here eight years ago. My heart has always been in San Diego. I couldn't imagine putting on another uniform.”NFL contracts seem more like a series of one-year deals as teams seem to cut players whenever it serves the team's purposes. And players often complain about their existing deals and/or hold out when they feel underpaid.
So with a 2010 roster bonus in the re-worked deal, the only certainty is that he'll be in a Chargers uniform in 2009. I'll take a wait-and-see approach for the final two years.
