Report: Chargers apply for trademarks of L.A. names ahead of possible move

The Chargers will remain in San Diego for the time being, but a move to Los Angeles may not be far off.

Just two days after the Rams received NFL approval to relocate last week, the Chargers applied to trademark both "Los Angeles Chargers" and "LA Chargers," according to Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times.

The Chargers filing for trademarks may not be directly related to the status of their negotiations to join the Rams, but it appears to be another step toward a move many consider to be inevitable.

After owners voted to approve the Rams' proposed Inglewood project, the Chargers were given an option to join.

While that option is tentatively slated to expire in January 2017, a decision is expected to be reached long before then. The Chargers and Rams began negotiations Monday, with the two sides "working to finalize" a deal, according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.