Report: LT considered Broncos - ESPN

Updated: June 23, 2012, 7:43 PM ET

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LaDainian Tomlinson Retires

LaDainian Tomlinson Retires

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LaDainian Tomlinson officially retired as a San Diego Charger on Monday.

But Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Saturday that he considered joining one of the Chargers' main rivals -- the Denver Broncos.

“

I said, 'They got Peyton, they have a good defense already; they went deep in the playoffs with Tim Tebow, what are they going to do with Peyton?' I seriously thought about it.

” -- LaDainian Tomlinson

"The only team I really gave a thought to was the Broncos, because of Peyton (Manning)," Tomlinson told the Union-Tribune. "We talked. Tom (Condon, Tomlinson's agent) talked with them ... It made me pause a little (and think), 'Was this what I really want to do?' &

"I said, 'They got Peyton, they have a good defense already; they went deep in the playoffs with Tim Tebow, what are they going to do with Peyton?' I seriously thought about it."

But Tomlinson admitted the thought of him in Broncos orange was tough to imagine.

"(Winning a Super Bowl) was the only reason I considered Denver," Tomlinson told the Union-Tribune. "At the same time, I thought, 'How much is a Super Bowl ring really going to do for you at this point?' Because it's not with the team I really wanted to do it with."

Tomlinson also told the Union-Tribune that he always hoped to retire after winning a Super Bowl with the Chargers.

"If we would have won the Super Bowl after nine years," Tomlinson told the Union-Tribune, "I would have retired a Charger. Then I wouldn't even have gone to New York."

Tomlinson signed a one-day contract with the Chargers on Monday and then announced his retirement.

He rushed for 13,684 yards, fifth all time, and scored 162 touchdowns, third-most ever. His 145 rushing touchdowns are second-most in history. He also passed for seven touchdowns.

Just as importantly, he helped the Chargers dig out from one of their worst stretches to become a force in the AFC West. He played his first nine seasons with San Diego and the last two years with the New York Jets.

Tomlinson, who turned 33 on Saturday, said he knew at the end of last season that he'd probably retire. He said he was still physically capable of playing but mentioned the mental toll it takes to play at a high level.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.