The Chargers placed tenders on restricted free agents LT Marcus McNeill and WR Vincent Jackson. Neither player is very happy about it and would like a long-term contract extension.
Chargers LT Marcus McNeil And WR Vincent Jackson Reportedly Willing To Sit Out 2010 Season
McNeill’s tender is worth $3.268 million while Jackson’s is worth $3.168 million. However, after June 15th the team has the option of reducing that number of $600,000 and $583,000, respectively. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune reports the Chargers have sent a letter to each player indicating their plans to reduce their salaries on June 15th.
However, sources said agents for both players recently informed the Chargers that if the letters were sent the team would not see Jackson or McNeill for “some time.”
What “some time” means is up for interpretation, but sources familiar with the thinking of McNeill and Jackson said the players are prepared to sit out into the season and even through 2010.
Chargers GM A.J. Smith confirmed that the letters were sent but declined further comment, citing comments he made last month. “I don’t know what they are thinking, and I have no idea when we’ll see them again or if we will ever see them again,” Smith said last month. “This I do know: The upcoming season will be on us very soon. Whoever we have as Chargers, we go with. I don’t spend much time speculating on who will be here or when they will be here.”
It’s only June so this can be taken with a grain of salt. Once each player gets to training camp, they’ll be subject to daily fines in excess of $15,000 if they skip.
For more on this potentially volatile situation, check out SB Nation’s Bolts From The Blue.
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