Ortmayer: Montana Deal ‘Dead’

Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of operations, Friday put another spike in the heart of reports that 49er quarterback Joe Montana might become his team’s next quarterback.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s completely dead,” Ortmayer said of week-long speculation that Montana could come to the Chargers in exchange for a package of draft picks and a player or players. “I don’t know how that thing got going. I’m even uncomfortable talking about it.”

It got going at the owners’ meetings in Phoenix this past week when Charger Coach Al Saunders reportedly confirmed that the 49ers wanted Charger linebacker Billy Ray Smith and two first-round draft choices in exchange for Montana.

49er Coach Bill Walsh was infuriated by the rumors and repeatedly denied that Montana was being shopped around the NFL.

Both Ortmayer and Walsh said they had been talking trades. But, Ortmayer said Friday, “it’s my strong opinion that the 49ers have no interest in trading either of their quarterbacks. That thing (the Montana to San Diego furor) isn’t headed anywhere.”

The second quarterback to whom Ortmayer was referring is Steve Young. Young replaced Montana in the 49er lineup at the end of the 1987 season when Montana’s play grew erratic. But Walsh has repeatedly insisted that Montana will be his starter at the beginning of 1988.

“We’re not just talking about quarterbacks,” said Ortmayer of discussions the Chargers have had with several teams. “We still haven’t resolved where we’re headed with people at other positions on our team.”

Ortmayer said the Chargers hope to have resolved all those questions--including the status of 36-year-old quarterback Dan Fouts--before the NFL draft April 24-25. Fouts has one year left on his contract but may retire before then.