Per NFL.com:
Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman told The San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that he wonât report for the start of training camp until he receives some sort of security from team management.
Merriman claimed his holdout isnât about a desire for a long-term contract or an increase from the one-year, $3.269 million tender the Chargers have offered and the linebacker hasnât signed.
“Itâs not about me wanting more money,” Merriman said. “I will show what I deserve. I donât have to ask for it. I feel like Iâve proved what Iâm worth, and I will still prove it. To me, it really comes down to, ‘Am I on the trading block this week? The third week of the season, am I on the block?â Where is that comfortability for me?
“Iâm only coming back to be the guy on the defense. Iâm not coming back to be a guy. I want to be on a team where someone is going to be building a defense around me.”
The Chargersâ first full-squad workout is scheduled for Friday, and Merriman doesnât intend to be there. Neither do wide receiver Vincent Jackson and offensive tackle Marcus McNeil, who, like Merriman, have yet to sign their restricted free-agent tenders.
“This is literally day to day how things progress, how things move,” Merriman said. “I donât want this to be a distraction to my teammates. I donât want this to be a distraction to me. I just want to get something resolved soon and go from there. The bottom line is when I get back on the field I plan on doing what I do best, and that is playing.”
