When news first broke earlier this evening, that the Patriots would be willing to send Pro Bowl offensive guard Logan Mankins to the Chargers as part of a deal to acquire wide receiver Vincent Jackson, the initial feeling around the league was that New England just might have been on to something.

But according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, interest in Mankins on the part of the Chargers is minimal at best, as they’re comfortable with who they have at his position, and don’t feel he’d be adequate if moved out to the edge as a tackle.

Mankins’ agent, Frank Bauer, had several choice words to describe the thought process behind including his client in such a deal, calling it “ludicrous” and “totally insane” during a short interview he had with the Boston Herald’s Ian Rapoport.

That doesn’t necessarily preclude San Diego and New England from completing a trade to send Jackson east to play with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, but it definitely makes it more difficult on the part of the Patriots, in that they’ll have to pay a premium to bring in Jackson.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has reportedly advised would be suitors for Jackson that he’ll accept no less than a first and a second round pick for AFC clubs, or a second and a third round pick for teams in the NFC.

As of right now, no team has shown any interest whatsoever in meeting that price, and with Smith unwilling to move an inch off those demands, a trade involving Jackson looks to be bleak at best.

Other posts you may enjoy:

1. Jackson ends holdout, returning to Chargers