ESPN.com's John Clayton reports that the San Diego Chargers will save $2.25 million in salary-cap room under the restructured deal which altered the final three years of Ladainian Tomlinson’s contract, according to sources.

The long-time Charger running back was set to make $24 million over the final three years of his existing deal. Under the new deal, San Diego gave him a $2.875 million signing bonus and reduced his base salary to $3.825 million, allowing Tomlinson to keep the 2009 payout of his contract at $6.725 million.

That $6.725 million payout number was key because backup running back/return specialist Darren Sproles was given the franchise tag and is scheduled to make a little more than $6.6 million this season. The revised contract means that the starter(Tomlinson) makes the most money among the two running backs.

In return for keeping his 2009 salary, Tomlinson reduced the overall payout of his three-year contract to $6.625 million, a $1.375 million savings. Tomlinson is due a $2 million option bonus after the season, which means the front office will again have to decide whether or not to retain him for the 2010 season, which will be his eleventh in the NFL.

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