Agent: Seau Likely to Reject Charger Offer

Bobby Beathard, Charger general manager, Wednesday sent what he said was a final contract proposal to Junior Seau’s agent, Steve Feldman, but Feldman said he doesn’t think Seau will agree to play for the average of $900,000 a year over five years that was offered.

Seau, the USC linebacker who was the Chargers’ top draft pick this year, is the team’s only unsigned player. Beathard said he set a deadline of 5 p.m. today for Feldman to accept the proposal, or the offer will be “significantly reduced.”

“I don’t think Junior will accept that,” Feldman said. “He understands everybody’s argument that that’s a lot of money. But with the draft the way it is, all we ask is he be paid market value.

“Junior wants to play, but Junior Seau wants to go into professional football with the right attitude. At this particular time, he doesn’t see that they’re being fair to him.”

Last week, Feldman proposed a deal worth $1 a year less than the $1.2 million a year for five years Alabama linebacker Keith McCants received from Tampa Bay. McCants was taken one pick ahead of Seau in the draft.

Feldman said he will attempt to schedule a meeting with Beathard today to discuss the proposal. Beathard has said that it is already too late for Seau to be ready to play for the Sept. 9 opener at Dallas.

What are Seau’s options if he doesn’t sign?

“He always has the option to sit out,” Feldman said. “That’s not what he wants. It’s really a shame that it’s all come down to this.

“Junior has the work ethic that you look for. He has the pride that you look for. If you don’t pay him what he rightfully deserves, you take away some of the fire.”

Beathard said Seau is in Cancun, Mexico. He could not be reached for comment.