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.

ESPN New York expects free agent LaDainian Tomlinson to retire.

Tomlinson looked out of gas for most of his age-32 season, and if he doesn't choose to retire by himself, the decision could be made for him in the form of lack of interest on the open market. If LT does return for a 12th NFL season, it will be as a strict passing-down specialist.

Jets owner Woody Johnson doesn't hold LaDainian Tomlinson negative post-season comments against him.

Tomlinson said the locker room was as bad as he's seen in the NFL. "LaDainian's amazing. I hold him in the highest [regard]," said Johnson. "Everybody was frustrated at the end of the season. We won't hold him accountable for that." Turning 33 in June, Tomlinson is still unlikely to return to the Jets as a free agent.

In a Showtime interview, free agent LaDanian Tomlinson unloaded on the Jets' 2011 locker room, calling it "as bad as I've ever been around, honestly."

"Something happened in the third or fourth week of the season ... and nobody knew because the players kept it under wraps," said Tomlinson. Asked if he believes Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes can coexist, Tomlinson replied, "Whew, that is a tough one. I would really have to sit down with them and see." LT2 defended Sanchez's work ethic, but said he believes the quarterback is "pampered." Tomlinson is not expected back with the Jets in 2012.

Free agent LaDanian Tomlinson acknowledged Friday that he is considering retiring this offseason.

"I am contemplating retirement," said Tomlinson, 32. "That's what I told my coaches and told my agent and everybody. ... This is the first time in my playing career that I've actually honestly thought about this may be it for me." Tomlinson said he'd be open to return, but conceded that it's possible no teams will want him. The Jets want to get younger in the backfield.

Impending free agent LaDainian Tomlinson reiterated that he'll retire if the right "opportunity" doesn't present itself.

Tomlinson wants to play for a contender and wants more than the veteran's minimum salary. The Jets figure to move on to Joe McKnight as their third-down/change-of-pace back, so Tomlinson will likely be on the hunt for a new team. He averaged just 3.7 yards per carry this season and will be 33 in June.

LaDainian Tomlinson rushed 11 times for 56 yards and added four catches for 23 yards against the Dolphins in Week 17.

In what may have been his final NFL game, Tomlinson led the Jets in rushing and totaled 79 all-purpose yards. Earlier this week, the 32-year-old suggested he would retire if he doesn't land a job with a ''suitable contender,'' and indicated he would refuse to sign for the league's minimum salary. In 14 games this season, he finished with 280 yards on 75 carries for an average of 3.7 yards per attempt.

LaDainian Tomlinson (quad) was upgraded to full participation in Jets practice Thursday.

Tomlinson will be active for Week 17. Playing in what could be the final game of a Hall-of-Fame career, Tomlinson is Rotoworld's 54th ranked running back for Week 17.

Impending free agent LaDainian Tomlinson concedes that Sunday's game could be his last in the NFL.

LaDainian Tomlinson (quad) was limited in Jets practice Wednesday.

Tomlinson is still expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. He received 11 touches in Week 16, gaining 65 total yards.

LaDainian Tomlinson admitted that Saturday's tilt with the Giants could be his last home game as a Jet.

Tomlinson is 32 years old, is averaging 3.3 yards per carry on the season and his contract is up after this season. The Jets would be foolish to bring him back when they have exciting Joe McKnight ready to go as the change-of-pace complement to Shonn Greene. Tomlinson is nearing the end of the line.