Shawne Merriman has reiterated that he wants to remain with the Chargers. "I feel like I'm in the worst possible situation," the linebacker said Thursday. "I don't know if my team wants me there. So I'm going to have fun with the situation." Merriman's contract will expire at the end of the league year next month, but because 2010 will almost certainly be an uncapped season, he will be a restricted free agent and under San Diego's control.

A source told the Chicago Tribune on Sunday that Chargers assistant offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski is no longer a candidate to become the Bears offensive coordinator. Chudzinski had been an offensive coordinator for the University of Miami and the Browns.

The Chargers could benefit greatly in the short-term by having a 2010 NFL season with no salary cap. The Chargers have five marquee players whose contracts are up and who are due to be unrestricted free agents. But because of the uncertainty of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, all five could be restricted and, thus, under team control for another season. If there is an uncapped year, which is what is expected, players with less than six seasons of service would be restricted free agents, instead of four seasons of service required in a capped year. That designation will restrict Malcom Floyd, Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill, Shawne Merriman and Darren Sproles, along with seven other Chargers.

The Bears have received permission to speak with Chargers' assistant head coach/tight ends Rob Chudzinski, according to a knowledgeable source. Chudzinski is expected to interview with coach Lovie Smith. The request put Norv Turner in an awkward position, as Chudzinski is interviewing for a job occupied most recently by Norv's brother Ron.

Dean Spanos has spent the past eight years and millions of dollars trying to find the right deal to keep the Chargers in San Diego. The downtown site near Petco Park that?s being considered could be the last one before something drastic happens. But Spanos doesn?t suspect Sunday?s loss or the lack of a Super Bowl title will affect the outcome. ?I think we?re moving toward the end,? he said. ?We?re in the early stages of the downtown process and it remains to be seen whether it plays out. We?re supposed to get a financing plan soon. The mayor (Jerry Sanders) says he?d like it to be voted on in 2012.?

Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was handcuffed briefly and had his car impounded during a traffic stop just hours before the team's playoff game against the Jets on Sunday. Det. Gary Hassen said Monday that a traffic officer pulled over Jackson for playing loud music. The wide receiver was cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags. Jackson has been arrested twice for suspicion of driving under the influence since joining the Chargers.

San Diego President Dean Spanos signed Head Coach Norv Turner to a three-year contract extension today, extending his contract through the 2013 season. ?I?m extremely proud of the job Norv has done with this team,? said Spanos. ?In three seasons he?s led the team to three division titles. I?m confident that if we strengthen our roster and continue to provide Norv the assets he needs, this team will have continued success.? Turner has the top overall winning percentage in team history at .648 (35-19) as well as the top regular-season percentage (32-16, .667). The Chargers are 13-0 in December under Turner and 4-3 in January. His three playoff wins are tied for most in team history. The team?s 13 regular-season wins in 2009 are the second most in team history, and includes a team-high seven wins on the road and a 4-0 sweep of the NFC East. The team committed the second-fewest turnovers (17) and the third-fewest penalty yards (570) during the regular season. Its 78 penalties are the fewest by the Chargers since 1976 when there were 14-game seasons. Turner?s leadership did not go unnoticed nationally as USA Today named him its NFL Coach of the Year.

Nate Kaeding missed three field goals on Sunday, including a 40-yarder in the fourth quarter. Kaeding was one of the first Chargers to make himself available in the locker room for postgame interviews, then stood there and answered every last question that was posed. "I never feel sorry for myself," Kaeding said. "I feel sorry for my teammates and coaches."

Philip Rivers will start at quarterback for the Chargers on Sunday, but coach Norv Turner says that Billy Volek will get playing time. "I want to see Billy get some good opportunities," Turner said. San Diego has won 10 straight games and has already clinched the AFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.