The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers’ third phase of offseason training activities kicked off with a key player kicking back: safety Eric Weddle.

After skipping the initial voluntary sessions, Weddle remains idle over his contact situation.

Weddle, an All-Pro last season, wants an extension. He’s set to make $7.5 million this year, but he has been clear that he seeks a long-term deal.

he Chargers aren’t in a rush to extend Weddle and so their four-time defensive captain is resting instead of getting reps on the first day the veterans could join the rookies.

“I wasn’t shocked not to see him out there,” quarterback Philip Rivers said.

Weddle said he has been “highly disrespected” by the Chargers’ reluctance to enter into negotiations. General manager Tom Telesco said Weddle’s situation would be addressed at an appropriate time.

So far, it doesn’t appear that time has come.

While Weddle chilled, Rivers was taking snaps. Rivers is also in the last year of a contract.

The difference between the two players is the Chargers approached Rivers about an extension. Rivers declined initially, but has changed his tune.

“I’m willing to listen to anything,” he said.

Rivers hasn’t hidden his displeasure of possibly moving his large family to the Los Angeles area, if that’s where the Chargers’ search for a new venue leads them.

But he said Tuesday that it would be “awesome” if he finished his career with the Chargers.

“It would be great,” Rivers said. “I’ve put 11 years in here and while we haven’t accomplished our ultimate goal, there are a lot of good memories for me of games, seasons and teammates.”

Rivers, who threw for 31 touchdowns and more than 4,000 yards while completing 66 percent of his passes last season, said back and rib injuries that hampered him down the stretch are in the past.

“I’m way better than how I felt in December,” he said. “There are no issues.”

The Chargers have a few and that was clear on Tuesday.

“We have a long way to go,” head coach Mike McCoy said.

But there is only one first day of offseason workouts and Tuesday was it for the Chargers.

It caps an offseason that was filled with its usual angst for Rivers. The Chargers didn’t make the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

“It went from down-in-the-dumps to seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” Rivers said. “Then you get back and become excited again and that’s where I am.”

He’s also still in San Diego.

How long the team does likewise will be determined, as it wrestles with a stadium proposal from San Diego and two about 100 miles north.

“It’s so beautiful here,” the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger said at Sunday’s concert at San Diego’s Petco Park. “Why would anyone want to leave? Especially the Chargers.”