Chargers Say Hello, McNeill Says Goodbye

Left tackle comes and goes

Marcus McNeill pulled into Chargers Park. He exited his Hummer. He walked into the team's training facility and met with general manager A.J. Smith.

This is it. McNeill is back. The prodigal left tackle has returned. He's probably signing on the dotted line right now.

Wait a second. Here comes McNeill again. He's getting back in his Hummer. He's driving away.

What the heck was that? What just happened?

According to local reports, not much. McNeill came and went Wednesday, and the status of his contract talks leaving the facility was the same as when he arrived: unresolved.

At McNeill's request, the two sides met “in an attempt to clear the air and clarify each side's stance,” according to the North County Times' Scott Bair.

Smith was unwilling to going into details about the meeting when asked by the San Diego Union Tribune's Kevin Acee.

I wish you would listen to me,” Smith said. “As I’ve said before, I’m done talking about Marcus McNeill until he returns. If he does return, I would be more than happy to talk about him.”

McNeill, a two-time Pro Bowler and restricted free agent, has yet to report to camp and is seeking a new, long-term contract as opposed to the one-year, $630,000 deal currently on the table. That tender was originally worth $3.168 million but was reduced after a June 15 deadline passed.

The two sides are not believed to have come any closer following Wednesday's meeting, according to both Bair and Acee.

“Who knows? Maybe it did spark something,” Acee said in a video report. “But as of right now, all it was was a 'How ya doin'?'”

A little disappointed, frankly.

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