Kris

Dielman

In an emotional press conference, the four-time Pro Bowler made it clear that retirement is “what I have to do, not what I want to do.” Chargers OL Hal Hunter told Dielman, “You’re not my son, but if you were, there ain’t no way I’d let you back on that field.” Dielman’s retirement leaves the Chargers with vacancies at center and on the entire left side of the offensive line.

The team tentatively expects LG Kris Dielman (concussions) back and hopes to re-sign free agent C Nick Hardwick. The Bolts figure to release LT Marcus McNeill, entering the bidding war for Jared Gaither instead. While the front office is “high on” FBs Mike Tolbert and Jacob Hester, the Times confirms other reports that it’s a “virtual certainty” Vincent Jackson will escape the franchise tag.

Dielman is shutting it down due to concussions and a 2011 seizure. While he can still block at a high level, retirement likely gives Dielman the best chance to lead a normal rest of his life. Dielman, 31, was a four-time Pro Bowler, earning an invitation to Honolulu in consecutive years from 2007 through 2010. He appeared in 120 career games, all with San Diego, and started 97.

The Bolts’ offseason plans were thrown for a bit of a loop, as they believed Dielman was “leaning toward” a return for one more season. The 31-year-old is forced to hang up the spikes, however, as multiple concussions and a scary Gran Mal seizure make it too risky to continue playing.

Hardwick is only 30, so he should have gas left in the tank from an age perspective, at least. According to Pro Football Focus, however, Hardwick was too often overpowered in the running game last year. The Chargers will likely look to re-sign Hardwick, but only at the right price. The San Diego Union-Tribune also expects LG Kris Dielman to put off retirement for one more year.

Dielman sustained the concussion in Week 7 and suffered a seizure on the flight home to San Diego, so this was no small injury. The NFL has been investigating the incident. Dielman, 30, is under contract through 2012 for $4.5 million. Still one of the league’s top pass-blocking guards, Dielman should return as a starter next season if his health cooperates.

Placing Dielman on I.R. was essentially a precautionary measure. He had a predisposition to seizures after having one as a child, and the Chargers didn’t want to get into a situation where Dielman was medically cleared, returned, and experienced a third after another concussion. It’s believed Dielman could have returned for the season’s final month. He is signed through 2012.

According to the Union-Trib, “it is believed that Dielman can return,” but he may not want to after a concussion followed by a scary grand mal seizure suffered on a team flight home in November. McNeill may need more surgery on his neck, and entered the league in 2006 with neck and back problems. The Chargers’ offensive line will be very much in flux heading into 2012.

Dielman was not evaluated for a concussion after making helmet-to-helmet contact with Jets OLB Calvin Pace early in the fourth quarter, and stayed in the game. He later suffered a seizure on the Chargers’ flight home from New York. Coach Norv Turner maintains the team “handled the situation extremely well.” The review is reportedly standard, and league punishment appears unlikely.

Dielman told the North County Times at a Saturday golf event that he’s “doing great,” but he’s “not really” decided whether to play. “We’ll see.” The Chargers would certainly like an answer before they begin to plan for free agency. Dielman, 31, is owed $4.5 million in the last year of his contract.