What Will Happen with LaDainian Tomlinson?

There has been a ton of LT stuff going around and by the looks of things it seems he will not be back in San Diego next season. Not to long after the Bolts got upset by the Jets (DAMN Right), LT wasn’t happy with his role in the offense. He told a San Diego radio station that he wasn’t happy with his role this season, when he had career lows in carries (223) and rushing yards (730).

“I did the things that I could with this year’s team, I felt that every year, whatever this team needed me to do, I gave my heart and soul to it.” Sports Radio Interviews

Tomlinson said that he “would not take a paycut under any circumstances.” When asked if he thinks he’ll return, he replied: “I’m not really sure, I can see a lot of things happening, I just kind of leave it open, I spent a lot of years here and enjoy football a lot and enjoy being around the guys in the locker room.”

But how much does he enjoy the guys in the locker room. He recently questioned the commitment of some of his teammates. “I didn’t feel the unity and the togetherness in the locker room. We’re at a point where guys come into the league and it’s not about the same values anymore. … I just can’t deal with that type of stuff.”

So what will happen?

After more than a month of saying he did not know what would happen, Tomlinson said he has believed for a while he would be let go by the Chargers. “I’m not coming back, I don’t believe I’ll be back in San Diego and I’ve accepted it.” Tomlinson said.

Tomlinson is due a $2 million roster bonus on March 5, the first day of the new league year. He will likely be released before then, because the Chargers don’t want to pay his $5 million total salary. Both sides have said since a restructuring of Tomlinson’s contract last March that the deal would not be reworked again.

With that being said, Any team interested in LT would almost certainly not want to trade for a running back that will be 31 in June, is owed $5 million, and who averaged 3.3 yards per carry in 2009. So that rules out a trade.

So LT will be released. OK. Where will he end up?

My first instinct when a player like this becomes available is, he’s going to the Patriots. Why? Why not? They already have Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, and Fred Taylor. Taylor is not a lock to return. He signed a 2 year deal last season, but due to injuries he only got 63 carries all season. LT would fit nicely with New England, especially as a third down back. That’s if he’s willing to be just a third down back. In my mind no player ever, should turn down a chance to play for the Patriots with Brady.

The Ravens could be a possibility. With Willis McGahee likely gone, a Ray Rice, LT combo would be a nice fit in Baltimore.

The Steelers need another Running Back to ease the load on Rashard Mendenhall. Willie Parker is no good. A veteran presence in the Pittsburgh back field might be exactly what they need to help balance the teams offense. They already have a great passing game, but the Steelers need to run.

The Saints already have 3 good backs in Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Reggie Bush. But Bush is not the prototype RB as explosive as he is. LT loves Drew Brees, and Brees loves LT. If Drew really wants LT on the team, the team will get him LT. He would be pretty sick in that offense.

As a fan, I wouldn’t mind the Jets taking a look. If NY decides not to keep Thomas Jones, which I feel would be a mistake, LT would be a great back-up to Shonn Greene. You don’t know how Leon Washington will be after his injury, and having a 3 headed running attack would be great, especially behind the Jets top 5 o-line.

What do you think will happen with LT?