What’s Next For LaDainian Tomlinson?

Perhaps the better question is, “Where is next for LaDanian Tomlinson?”

The Chargers cut the 2006 MVP on Monday, meaning in 2010, L.T. will be playing for a new team, something he is already looking forward to.

“It was a longtime coming, but I knew it was coming,” he said by phone to SI.com. “Now that it’s official I can kind of look to the next step in my career and playing football for someone else.” [...]

“The main thing for me now is to try to win a championship,” said Tomlinson ... “That’s my No. 1 goal. That’s why I still work hard and train like I do, because I still believe there’s a chance of winning that championship. So the next team I go to has to have a chance of winning a title. I can think of a few teams off the top of my head, but that’s what my agent is for. I’m sure he’s going to do some research, talk to some teams and present some options to me.”

In addition to being a championship contender, Tomlinson also says wherever he ends up must be “a team that has a [proven] quarterback,” though he does not specifically mention a specific club by name. But speculation has already begun.

Our Chargers blog, Bolts From The Blue, rules out the other AFC West teams.

As far as the AFC West goes, I don’t really see LT being a fit on any of the other AFC West teams. The Raiders are stacked at RB, the Chiefs have a young super-star in the making in Jamaal Charles, and the Broncos also have a bunch of young RBs and don’t seem to have any desire for an old veteran.

Meanwhile, Fanhouse lists the Texans, Redskins, Chiefs and Bears as possible destinations, but first pointed out that maybe no one will want the aging running back.

Two NFL executives told FanHouse they believe Tomlinson may already be finished.

“I don’t know that he has anything left,” one NFC executive said. “I’d be hesitant to sign him.”

“You have to understand, with L.T, you’re not just signing the player. You’re taking on the whole package,” an AFC personnel executive told FanHouse.