Teams Saying Montana Isn’t Chargers’ Man

Before the NFL owners’ meetings began in Phoenix Monday, Charger owner Alex Spanos said that finding a new quarterback was a “top priority.”

“It’s still a top priority,” Spanos said by phone Wednesday.

But Spanos and Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations, both refused to confirm reports that the 49ers recently offered quarterback Joe Montana in return for linebacker Billy Ray Smith and two No. 1 draft choices.

Ortmayer’s statement that he had received no such offer was made after a published report Wednesday that said Charger Coach Al Saunders had confirmed the story.

Bill Walsh, San Francisco coach and team president, was furious when apprised of the reports, which also said the Chargers countered by offering running back Gary Anderson and two No. 1s in exchange for Montana, 32.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” Walsh told a reporter in Phoenix Wednesday. “We’re not shopping Joe Montana to anyone at all. Period.”

Added Walsh: “Joe is our starting quarterback and will be our starting quarterback again next season. There isn’t any question about it. I think our biggest problem (next year) won’t be a trade of Montana. It will be a quarterback controversy.”

Walsh said the 49ers have talked to the Chargers about possible trades “more than any other team.”

And he said, “Montana’s name has come up. But so has Steve Young’s and John Paye’s and any number of other players with any number of their players. Probably Montana’s name gets less conversation than any of the other people we talk about.”

Young replaced an erratic Montana in the 49ers’ lineup at the end of last season. But Walsh has repeatedly said Montana will be his starter in 1988. Paye is a backup 49er quarterback.

Asked if he expected a quarterback trade before the owners’ meetings end Friday, Spanos said: “There have been a lot of discussions, and they continue every day. I have absolutely no idea (whether or not a trade will occur). But if I had my way, it would happen.”

Spanos said he hasn’t spoken to incumbent Charger quarterback Dan Fouts since the end of the 1987 season, when the Chargers lost their last six games, finished 8-7 and missed the playoffs. A rotator cuff injury forced Fouts to the bench for the last two games. The injury was later deemed not serious and didn’t require surgery.

But it underscored continuing questions about Fouts’ durability.

“I’m ready to make a deal,” Spanos said. “I’m having discussions with everyone. “

Other Charger officials have privately repeated that Fouts doesn’t fit into the team’s plans for 1988. But Spanos wouldn’t directly confirm that. “The ball’s in his (Fouts’) court,” Spanos said. “We’re waiting for him. I’d just like to hear from him.”

Three weeks ago, Fouts said he would like to play more football. The 1988 season will be the last year of his current contract, which is guaranteed and will pay him a reported $750,000.

Last summer, Spanos and Fouts engaged in a messy and public spat over reports that Spanos had offered Fouts $250,000 extra for 1987 if he would agree to make it his last season. Fouts has subsequently dodged questions about whether he would play for another team if traded.

Fouts, who will be 37 in June, completed 206 passes (10 for touchdowns) in 364 attempts last year. He has played in six Pro Bowls and passed for 300 yards or more 51 times in 15 NFL seasons.

New England quarterback Tony Eason is a free agent, and Saunders has said he likes Eason’s ability. But the Chargers have said they don’t want to surrender two first-round draft choices. The NFL’s compensation rules stipulate that the Chargers would owe the Patriots two firsts if they signed Eason.

Last week, the Redskins took the NFL by surprise when they confronted the Bears with an offer sheet that would pay two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Wilber Marshall $6 million for five years. The Bears have until Friday to match the offer. If they don’t, Marshall will become a Redskin and the Bears will get Washington’s first-round picks in the 1988 and 1989 drafts.

Marshall’s agent, Richard Bennett, has predicted that the Bears won’t match the offer.

Bear Coach Mike Ditka said Wednesday morning he is concerned about the Marshall offer becoming a trend.

“If $1.2 million (Marshall’s average annual salary under the terms of the Redskin offer) is the going price, the game is done,” Ditka said.

“I don’t see this as a trend,” Spanos said.