Could Philip Rivers be headed East?AFC East?

Tom Krasovic, UTSan Diego:
In its ongoing move to get a stadium built for the Chargers and Raiders, the city of Carson could invite a legal challenge, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

The process to approve the $1.7 billion project is "deeply flawed” and “an open invitation to litigation,” an AEG executive warned Carson Mayor Jim Dear in a letter sent earlier this week and obtained by the Times.

With all the talk of the San Diego Chargers moving to Los Angeles, or to Carson in conjunction with the Oakland Raiders, it is a lock that QB Philip Rivers will not be joining them in their endeavor. The 11 year veteran, who was once a 2004 draft day trade for Eli Manning, has gained some semblance of control over his future.

Entering the final year of his six year $92 million contract signed in 2009, Philip has the leverage for a new long-term deal with the Chargers. There have been no talks between the team and Rivers. The team could conceivably place a franchise tag on Rivers next offseason.

Philip Rivers plans to play out his contract this season, but that doesn't mean the San Diego Chargers will explore a trade involving their quarterback. Or will they? If the Chargers want an immediate return, a trade with the Tennessee Titans to reunite Rivers with Titans' head coach Ken Whisenhunt could work. The number two overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft would work even better for the Chargers. The selection of Oregon QB Marcus Mariota by San Diego would bring a completely new look to a franchise in transition.

There are a few QB openings in the AFC East. The Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets could each be a legitimate threat to the New England Patriots for the division crown if they only had an NFL QB. In the 2007 AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, Rivers' was lauded by his teammates and the press for playing the entire game with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which later required surgery and was ranked among the NFL Top 10 Gutsiest Performances.

San Diego Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco said “We are committed to making sure Philip retires as a Charger, and we will address that at the appropriate time.” It would appear that QB Philip Rivers may not be on the same wavelength as the Chargers GM.

The San Diego Chargers won their only title in 1963. This was the first year following the team franchise move from Los Angeles. It may be time to move back. It is doubtful that Philip Rivers will follow.


Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

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