The Chargers are looking to lower Tomlinson’s salary cap impact (currently around $8.8 million) and include several performance based incentives in the deal.

Unfortunately for San Diego, 2010 is currently set to be an “uncapped” year which means that all incentives for the 2009 season automatically count against the team’s salary cap number for this year.

While Tomlinson has stated that he’d like to stay with the Chargers, the team has already tagged running back Darren Sproles as their franchise player and could be on the hook for as much as $6.62 million if a long term deal isn’t worked out.

The team has stated that Tomlinson’s status won’t affect Sproles because they don’t view him as an every down back. If that’s the case, should they fail to reach an agreement with LT, the Chargers will likely be forced to draft a running back much earlier than planned.

Sproles has spent the bulk of his three years in San Diego as a kick returner and backup to LaDainian Tomlinson. However, the running back was thrust into the spotlight late in the season last year, due to a Tomlinson injury, and certainly didn’t disappoint. Sproles put up back to back 100+ rushing yard games, headlined by an impressive performance against the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs, gaining over 320 all purpose yards, and scoring two touchdowns including the game winner in overtime.

By tagging Sproles, the Chargers have created a solid fallback option should they not be able to reach an agreement on a renegotiated deal with Tomlinson. Sproles, however, will not immediately sign the tendered offer, thus allowing the running back to speak with other teams to guague interest in a possible trade. Since it would require two first round draft picks as compensation for signing Sproles away, any interested team would likely try to work out a trade should they seek to acquire the running back.

However, both Sproles and his agent have professed a desire to work out a long term contract for the back to remain with the Chargers. And, since the salary cap hit would be lessened by a multi-year deal, it’s expected that San Diego will accomodate that desire.