San Diego Chargers president Dean Spanos made it clear Thursday that he supports general manager A.J. Smith in the no-end-in-sight stalemate between the team and its two Pro Bowl holdouts, wide receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill.
In an interview with the The San Diego Union-Tribune, Spanos indicated that Jackson and McNeill -- and not Chargers management -- are responsible for their absence from the team as it prepares for Monday night's season opener at Kansas City.
"They have put themselves in this position. We did not put them in this position," Spanos told The Union-Tribune. "It's very clear to me, obviously, the CBA changed this year ... We tendered them the highest possible offer we could, which is $3.2 or $3.3 million, which far exceeded their previous four years salaries collectively. They had 2½ months to go out and find a team to play for. They didn't, or couldn't. They elected at the end of 2½ months to not sign the tender. That's the end of the story.
"It was a business decision they made," Spanos added. "I wish they were here, I wish they were playing for us. I believe they need to sign the tenders and come in and see what happens after that."
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