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INDIANAPOLIS — Kris Dielman is close to announcing he will retire, people familiar with his intentions said.
Neither the Chargers nor Dielman will confirm it, but even as many close to the team and Dielman seemed convinced he would continue playing, sources confirmed in Indianapolis over the past two days that the All-Pro left guard will reveal his intentions "soon" and is "leaning toward" retirement.
Team sources and people close to Dielman have indicated for weeks that Dielman has completed his medical research and said he appeared ready to play again. Dielman finished 2011 on injured reserve and had for several months been considering retirement following a concussion and seizure he suffered in October.
Sources said he wants to play but on the advice of doctors, with an eye toward quality of his life several years from now, he will walk away from the game.
Dielman and his agent have not responded to requests for comment.
Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith insisted on Sunday he did not know what Dielman's decision was but said Dielman knew the team needed an answer soon, even indicating it would likely come by the end of the week.
Smith declined to comment Monday, other than to say: "We will announce all of our football business in a timely fashion as we begin to build this year's team in different stages."
The decision by Dielman, a four-time Pro Bowler who is due a $1 million roster bonus next month and $4.5 million base salary in the final year of his contract, increases the anxiety about the Chargers offensive line.
Nick Hardwick is an unrestricted free agent, though the Chargers plan to try to re-sign the player who has started 103 games at center for them. They will also try to bring back Jared Gaither, who was signed in December and played at an extremely high level the final five games of 2011. It is rare that quality left tackles get to free agency, and Gaither is considered the best available this year.
While Smith said the team is still evaluating left tackle Marcus McNeill's medical situation, numerous sources continue to insist the decision has been made to release McNeill in advance of the free agency period. McNeill's $10 million salary is guaranteed if he is not released by March 16.
Neither the Chargers nor Dielman will confirm it, but even as many close to the team and Dielman seemed convinced he would continue playing, sources confirmed in Indianapolis over the past two days that the All-Pro left guard will reveal his intentions "soon" and is "leaning toward" retirement.
Team sources and people close to Dielman have indicated for weeks that Dielman has completed his medical research and said he appeared ready to play again. Dielman finished 2011 on injured reserve and had for several months been considering retirement following a concussion and seizure he suffered in October.
Sources said he wants to play but on the advice of doctors, with an eye toward quality of his life several years from now, he will walk away from the game.
Dielman and his agent have not responded to requests for comment.
Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith insisted on Sunday he did not know what Dielman's decision was but said Dielman knew the team needed an answer soon, even indicating it would likely come by the end of the week.
Smith declined to comment Monday, other than to say: "We will announce all of our football business in a timely fashion as we begin to build this year's team in different stages."
The decision by Dielman, a four-time Pro Bowler who is due a $1 million roster bonus next month and $4.5 million base salary in the final year of his contract, increases the anxiety about the Chargers offensive line.
Nick Hardwick is an unrestricted free agent, though the Chargers plan to try to re-sign the player who has started 103 games at center for them. They will also try to bring back Jared Gaither, who was signed in December and played at an extremely high level the final five games of 2011. It is rare that quality left tackles get to free agency, and Gaither is considered the best available this year.
While Smith said the team is still evaluating left tackle Marcus McNeill's medical situation, numerous sources continue to insist the decision has been made to release McNeill in advance of the free agency period. McNeill's $10 million salary is guaranteed if he is not released by March 16.
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