LaDainian Tomlinson appeared to be entering the twilight zone after rushing for a career-low 730 yards in his last season with the San Diego Chargers.
What happened next is what Tomlinson calls the best decision he could’ve made for his Hall of Fame career, which looked to be on its last legs. After taking a visit with the Minnesota Vikings, Tomlinson decided to sign a two-year deal with Rex Ryan and the New York Jets ahead of the 2010 season.
“The best decision I could have made was signing with the New York Jets at that time,” Tomlinson, now an analyst with NFL Network, said. “I was able to bounce back with a good season. I helped my team get to the AFC Championship Game. I was featured in a national commercial. That season justified my decision to join Rex Ryan and the Jets — forgoing a deal with Minnesota — and that was a great feeling.”
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Tomlinson signed a two-year deal worth $5.1 million and joined the league’s top rushing attack from the season before. He was the veteran presence in the backfield that New York was searching for after parting ways with Thomas Jones, even though Jones rushed for a career-high 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009. With Shonn Greene emerging as the Jets’ starting running back, Tomlinson was the perfect complement for Ryan’s ground and pound approach.
Tomlinson helped Gang Green to its second AFC Championship Game in as many seasons. He proved that he still had a lot left in the tank, rebounding with 914 yards on 219 carries with six rushing touchdowns in 2010. He also added 52 receptions for 368 yards, playing an important role as a check-down option for then second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Tomlinson played one more season for the Jets before calling it a career. New York gave Tomlinson his final shot at reaching the Super Bowl but fell just short of that mark in 2010. Tomlinson showed his age in 2011, recording just 729 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
At the time of his retirement in 2012, Tomlinson compiled 3,174 career rushing attempts for 13,684 yards and 145 rushing touchdowns. As one of the best pass-catching backs of his generation, he caught 624 passes for 4,772 yards and 17 touchdowns. Tomlinson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Although he will be remembered for what he accomplished in San Diego, including scoring an NFL record 31 total touchdowns in a single season, Tomlinson still looks upon his two-year stint with New York fondly.