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Chargers balance risk, reward by delaying L.A. decision

Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

By opting to remain in San Diego for at least one more season, and therefore delaying a move to Los Angeles, the Chargers made the most logical choice possible given the monumental decision they were faced with.

Relocating to another city is one of the most complex - and painful - ordeals any NFL team can undertake, and the Chargers' situation was made all the more convoluted because they'd be moving to a market that hasn't had an NFL team since 1994 and would be forced into a partnership with the Rams.

The Chargers have given themselves time to weigh both options, so let's explore the ramifications of their decision:

They've put the ball in San Diego's court

The Chargers must have looked at the reactions from fans in St. Louis after Rams owner Stan Kroenke decided to take their team away from them and thought "we don't want to deal with that kind of heat."

By agreeing to stay and negotiate with San Diego for a season, the team has firmly placed the responsibility of the outcome onto the city.

Team president Dean Spanos said in his statement that it's his desire for his team to remain in San Diego, but if you read between the lines, it's easy to see the message to his current city: We want to stay and now you have be the one to bring an end to the relationship.

San Diego has soured on the Chargers because they're unwilling to use public money to finance a new stadium, especially when it's been tough to sell out the current one and because the constant flirtation with L.A. has seemed like the Chargers were holding them ransom.

Now, if the Chargers do move after the 2016 season, they can say they did everything they could to remain in San Diego and push the blame onto the city.

Relocation is all about public opinion.

Kroenke didn't care about it because he was so intent on leaving a city he deemed unworthy of his franchise. He happily walked over the bridges of trust between the Rams and their fans in St. Louis, throwing matches behind him as he went.

The Chargers won't be the "good guys" if they still decide to pack up and head for L.A., but they'll do so with the defense that they gave San Diego a shot at keeping them.

They've gained leverage as well as time

San Diego, obviously, doesn't want to lose the money an NFL franchise brings its city, but it will still be tough to persuade the city to help invest in a likely $1-billion stadium.

The Chargers want the city to fully embrace the franchise and to show its commitment by aiding in building a modern NFL stadium.

The two ended discussions about a long-term deal in June of last year, with both parties publicly blaming the other for the breakdown, with the Chargers shifting focus to the potential move to L.A.

The Chargers and San Diego now have a whole year to negotiate a way for both parties to get what they want, with Spanos saying it will be the first time time the two will talk with a united goal in mind.

The Chargers also gained leverage by coming to an agreement with the Rams to join them in Inglewood after next season. San Diego knows it'll definitely lose its team if a deal isn't reached and the Chargers will presumably use that to get the best deal possible.

By giving themselves an entire year to negotiate, the Chargers have the time to get San Diego on board and the weapons to do just that, with L.A. still looming large.

They've risked losing ground to Rams in L.A.

While the rewards of staying in San Diego for 2016 are plentiful, the Chargers have brought about some significant risks by delaying their potential move by a year.

The Rams have now been blessed with an entire season in which to entrench themselves in the market, free of competition.

Kroenke never wanted a partner in L.A. He initially pushed for a deal that would mean just the Rams would move to Inglewood before being forced into a compromise.

Now, he will get his wish for at least one season.

The Chargers were already at risk of playing second fiddle to the Rams in L.A., with it being expected they'd be tenants in a new stadium, not partners, and because they don't possess the history or connection with the city that the Rams have.

It's possible the Chargers cannot find a way to stay in San Diego and then are forced to try and fight their way into an already sports-crowded market that has spent the past season being fed a Rams-filled diet.

A shot of success in both L.A., San Diego

The Chargers' ideal scenario was to move to L.A. and partner with the Oakland Raiders. After that prospect vanished, they were left with two options that both had significant drawbacks.

L.A. would give the Chargers a huge potential market, but would be a massive challenge and require a less than ideal partnership with the Rams.

San Diego's trust and relationship with the team will be tough to repair and a new stadium remains a tough sell.

So, with no clear choice, the Chargers made the smartest move possible, and gave themselves the best opportunity for future success, wherever that ends up being.

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