The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Both Philip Rivers and Norv Turner have expressed their hope that the Chargers retain Jackson, and GM A.J. Smith is finally open to a long-term deal with the receiver. Jackson, too, has expressed his desire to remain in San Diego, with Rivers and Turner, despite past tensions with the front office. There is even a belief by those who have talked with Jackson that he would take less from the Chargers than he could get elsewhere.

Diehards Line:During a Thursday meeting with the Chargers, the agents for Jackson, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, heard for the first time directly from the Chargers that the team desires to keep Jackson in the fold and that using the franchise tag is an improbable option. Smith was not present at the meeting, and no contract numbers were exchanged and likely will not be until the free agency period begins on March 13. However, as Union-Tribune staffer Kevin Acee notes, Jackson has wanted a long-term commitment from the Chargers for more than three years and his list of suitors will make re-signing him a challenge once he gets to the open market. The Chargers are believed to be willing to pay Jackson between $10-11 million annually on a five-year deal, but they are inclined to let the market be set by others. Jackson is expected to receive more in offers from other teams. The Chargers still could place the $13.7 million franchise tag on Jackson until March 5, but team sources have long termed that highly unlikely due to the need to fill so many other holes.