Chargers Release LaDainian Tomlinson

The San Diego Chargers have decided to part ways with their all-time leading rusher LaDainian Tomlinson after nine years of record breaking football by the 30-year old back.

Tomlinson will probably take a step back for the next few weeks and see what NFL teams plan to do with their roster before the Draft. He was due to receive a $2 million bonus in March and $3 million in base salary in 2010. LT’s production has been on a steady decline over the past four years, from accumulating 1,815 yards and 28 TDs in 2006 to 730 yards and 12 TDs this past season in his final season with the Chargers.

San Diego has been on the verge of a Super Bowl appearance for what seems like Tomlinson’s entire career but they haven’t been able to make that leap during his tenure with the team. With as good of a chance in 2010 then they may have ever had, the Chargers will have to make their move without the NFL’s eighth all-time leading rusher.

It will be interesting to see where LT ends up considering the fact that the NFL is entering an uncapped season in 2010 and there are sure to be teams willing to sign Tomlinson to a deal that suits his liking.