PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Reeves Returning to Giants; Chargers Let O’Neal Go

Dan Reeves will return as the coach of the New York Giants, the team announced.

Postseason talks involving Reeves, General Manager George Young and the team’s ownership ended, and “everybody’s staying,” team spokesman Pat Hanlon said. Asked if there were any changes to Reeves’ contract, which has two years to go, Hanlon said, “Nothing’s changed in any way.”

The announcement followed four days of meetings between Reeves and Giants management after the team finished 5-11 despite once declaring the playoffs a possibility.

“I’ve been given an opportunity this week to bring up a number of issues for discussion,” Reeves said in a statement issued by the team. “We have talked things through, and I’m going to work hard to make this team a winner.”

Giant President Wellington Mara called the talks with Reeves “enlightening.”

Reeves got in trouble in November for complaining about some aspects of the football operation, particularly how the team handled personnel and scouting. He had said that unless the front office made some changes he would leave after his contract expires after the 1997 season.

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The San Diego Chargers said they won’t try to keep two prominent unrestricted free agents, All-Pro defensive end Leslie O’Neal and third-down running back specialist Ronnie Harmon.

O’Neal came back from a devastating knee injury as a rookie in 1986 to become one of the NFL’s best pass rushers. In 1995, he had 12 1/2 sacks to lead the Chargers in that category for the sixth consecutive season and push his career total to 105 1/2--ninth on the NFL list.

General Manager Bobby Beathard isn’t sure how the Chargers will replace O’Neal, who said repeatedly since training camp that he wanted out of San Diego. “We have our work cut out for us finding somebody,” Beathard said. “Maybe it can come in a trade, I don’t know.”

Other unrestricted free agents the Chargers won’t try to keep are backup quarterback Gale Gilbert, who failed to deliver victories in big games against Dallas and Kansas City this year, and linebacker David Brandon. The club also will not re-sign right tackle Stan Brock, a 16-year veteran who lost his starting job at midseason.

Beathard said he will not exercise the club options of linebacker Dennis Gibson, who made the pivotal pass deflection in last season’s AFC championship game at Pittsburgh, and wide receiver Mark Seay, who lost his starting job in 1995.

Friday’s moves involve about $6 million in salary.

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Denver Bronco kicker Jason Elam, who earned his first Pro Bowl trip this season, has signed a six-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.