Chargers GM Tom Telesco confirms he reached out to retired RB LaDainian Tomlinson. "You couldn't help but think about it," Telesco said. Going on 34, Tomlinson had no interest in un-retiring. It says a lot about would-be "running back of the future" Ryan Mathews that San Diego's new braintrust is reaching out to the Chargers' running back of the past.

Retired RB LaDainian Tomlinson tells Yahoo! Sports' Mike Silver that the Chargers wanted him to come back and play for them in 2013. "At first I thought they weren't really serious, but they kept talking about it, and I realized it was real," Tomlinson said. "They said, 'You can come back and carry it 10 or 12 times a game. We'd like to have you here.' ... My mind is in a different place. Mentally, going back would have been too hard." LT retired following the 2011 season, but he is still just 33 years old. It also shows how little faith the Chargers have in Ryan Mathews.

LaDainian Tomlinson explained on SportsCenter Monday that he didn't make a serious attempt to continue playing because his passion to play is gone. Tomlinson reportedly "talked with" the Broncos before retiring, but the feeling wasn't necessarily mutual. "I definitely considered it," said LT. "I can't tell you exactly the percentages. But at the end of the day, mentally, I was done with football. And I knew that. But I was holding out hope that the passion would come back, that I would want to play again. But probably right around April, May, I knew that I was done with football."

LaDainian Tomlinson says he "talked" with the Broncos before opting to retire. "The only team I really gave a thought to was the Broncos, because of Peyton (Manning)," Tomlinson revealed Saturday. "(My agent) talked with them ... It made me pause a little (and think), 'Was this what I really want to do?'" Manning and Tomlinson share an agent, so it's possible the talks were nothing more than a courtesy. We don't expect LT to ever play another down.

LaDainian Tomlinson will sign a one-day contract with the Chargers so he can retire as a member of the organization. A lock for the Hall of Fame, Tomlinson will go down as arguably the best running back of the last decade. The five-time Pro Bowl selection spent nine seasons with the Chargers before wrapping up his career with a two-year stint with the Jets. He finishes with 13,684 rushing yards and 145 touchdowns on 3,174 carries, an average of 4.3 yards-per-carry. In 2006, he scored an NFL single-season record 28 rushing touchdowns. Adding to his impressive resume is his 624 career receptions, which included a 100-catch season in 2003. Tomlinson is only one of two tailbacks to achieve the rare feat. He ranks fifth all time in yards from scrimmage with 18,456.

Free agent LaDainian Tomlinson reiterated Friday that he's "pretty much done with football." "I read a book to help me prepare," Tomlinson said. "The league needs to more to help guys prepare." Tomlinson said last week that he was ''95 percent'' retired, and that it would take the right situation for him to return. We wouldn't be surprised if the "right situation" was any situation. Tomlinson hasn't received any known offers.

According to SI's Jim Trotter, free agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson is strongly considering retirement.

Free agent LaDainian Tomlinson says he's open to playing in 2012. "Obviously I'm a free agent and I'm still open to playing," he said. "I am just taking my time through this free agency stuff just continuing to explore my options and make a decision here on my future depending on my options, so I'm excited about the future either way it goes if I continue to play or if I don't." Tomlinson hasn't drawn any known interest in free agency, and looked near the end in 2011. If he finds work, it will be as a pass-catching third-down back.

GM A.J. Smith indicated Monday that San Diego will not pursue former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson and WR Kassim Osgood. "We have moved on years ago," Smith said of Tomlinson. "We wish him the very best in his search for the team he feels is the best fit for him. We are looking at four backs right now but we may slow down that search a little bit." Of Osgood, the always brusque Smith added, "Kassim wants to be a receiver and that just is not going to happen with us."

Free agent LaDainian Tomlinson revealed Thursday that he still wants to "continue to play" in 2012. Although he contemplated retirement immediately after the season, Tomlinson believes he's still a "viable option out of backfield." The 33-year-old won't be back with the Jets and could struggle to find a role as a passing-down specialist after running on fumes for the majority of last season. Perhaps he could rejoin Cam Cameron in Baltimore as Ricky Williams' replacement.