Wilson: Merriman wants a new deal

San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman is still waiting for word on whether he'll be back in 2010.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Merriman wants to stay in San Diego.

As a projected restricted free agent with the uncapped year, that appears to be a likely scenario.

Merriman would likely command a high tender of a first-round and third-round compensation.

“I feel like I’m in the worst possible situation,” Merriman told the Union-Tribune. “I don’t know if my team wants me there. So I’m going to have fun with the situation.”

Merriman has had some off-field distractions over the past year, including the unproven allegation that he got into a physical altercation with reality television starlet Tila Tequila.

That has raised the ire of old-school Chargers general manager A.J. Smith.

“Of course I’d like to be here,” Merriman said. “I’ve said that a billion times. I was 20 years old when I got drafted and came to San Diego. But I want to feel comfortable playing football. And not knowing whether you’re wanted or not is not a comfortable feeling.”

So, the ball is in the Chargers' court.

Call it a hunch, but I would expect Merriman to remain in San Diego for at least one more year.

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