The free agent — the eighth-leading rusher in NFL history — was on a flight Saturday morning after his visit.
Tomlinson arrived in New Jersey on Thursday night after meeting with the Minnesota Vikings and spent Friday touring the Jets' facility in Florham Park. He then had dinner with coach Rex Ryan, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and other team officials, who tried to persuade him to join an offense ranked No. 1 in rushing last season.
It was uncertain if Tomlinson would decide between the Jets and Vikings or visit other teams. He has not commented on his plans or visits with the Jets and Vikings.
Tomlinson had dinner with members of the Vikings on Wednesday night and spent the next day at the team's headquarters. He left with a purple Vikings jersey in hand, but pulled away in a black limousine without a deal and headed to New Jersey.
He had been scheduled to fly back to San Diego on Friday night, but changed his flight after arriving in New Jersey so late Thursday. The Jets extended their visit with him Friday to include dinner. There were also no late-night flights to the West Coast available Friday.
Whether he chooses the Jets or Vikings, Tomlinson would not be the focal point of the offense, as he was for so many years with the Chargers — a role he has said he's OK with.
Tomlinson was drafted with the fifth overall pick in 2001 out of TCU. He immediately became a star and helped transform the Chargers into perennial playoff contenders. His 138 career touchdowns rushing rank second in NFL history, and his 153 total touchdowns rank third.
After a heavy workload and a few injuries made him less effective in recent seasons — last season was his first under 1,000 yards — Tomlinson appears intent on winning a Super Bowl.
That's something the Vikings and Jets might be able to offer — both were a win shy of the NFL's big game last season. Minnesota lost to Super Bowl champion New Orleans 31-28 in overtime in the NFC championship, and New York fell to Indianapolis 30-17 in the AFC title game.