Chargers Holdout Jackson Prepared To Sit Out Season

San Diego, CA, United States (AHN) – San Diego Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson, who remains absent from team activities, told a major media outlet Friday he is prepared to sit out the entire season if the Chargers don’t increase his $3.268 million salary.

“We’re prepared for that,” Jackson told NFL network, concerning the possibility of sitting out the entire season. “I’ve been financially smart.

“But again I miss football. I’m passionate about the game. I wouldn’t be out here training and working as hard as I am if I wasn’t. I’m hoping everything works out, but I’m not holding my breath for anything.”

Inital reports had Jackson seeking a five-year, $50 million deal, which would be the richest for a receiver in NFL history, surpassing Brandon Marshall’s five-year, $47.5 million deal signed with the Dolphins earlier this offseason.

That $10 million annual salary would also match the highest average salary for a receiver, matched by Larry Fitzgerald’s four-year, $40 million deal signed with Arizona in 2008.

However, Jackson’s agent Neil Schwartz refuted those claims in a phone interview with ProFootballTalk.com.

“There’s no truth to the report that we asked for $50 million over five years and $30 million guaranteed,” Schwartz said. “We only talked concepts with the Seahawks, and I specifically mentioned players like Roy Williams, Lee Evans, Roddy White, who we represent, Marshall, and Fitzgerald. No numbers were mentioned.”

Jackson, 27, is subject to a three-game suspension for missing training camp in addition to an NFL-mandated three-game suspension for his second DUI.

The Colorado native completed back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his fifth year, finishing with career-highs in receptions (68), yards (1,167) and touchdowns (nine) last season.

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