One day into his return as the starting left tackle in San Diego, Marcus McNeill finally got the payday he desired from the team he was close to walking away from.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chargers have signed McNeill to a brand new five year contract extension, ensuring quarterback Philip Rivers’ blindside will be protected through the 2015 season at the very least.

McNeill sat out all of training camp and the club’s first two games before rejoining his teammates at practice prior to their disappointing loss to Seattle in week three. He’s missed the past three games as well, after being placed on the roster exempt list by San Diego just before the start of the year, and will be eligible to play when the Chargers take on St. Louis next Sunday.

As for San Diego’s other key holdout, wide receiver Vincent Jackson, no progress has been made with regards to convincing him to return anytime soon, and it’s likely at this point that a trade sending him elsewhere is dead in the water. Jackson is expected to sign his tender and come back to the club by week 10 at the latest, as he’d run the risk of losing a year of service time and be ineligible for free agency next spring if he stays at home.

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