It's not getting nearly enough play, but it might be the most stunning news of the NFL offseason cycle: Philip Rivers is worried the Chargers will move to Los Angeles so he's going to play out his deal and figure out another option if the franchise ends up moving.
Rivers’ willingness to ditch the only franchise he’s ever played for and flat-out refusing to play in LA would be a fairly unprecedented move.
The best part of all this is the idea of Rivers — a Southern man to his core — being so disgusted at the thought of living in Los Angeles he’s willing to call off contract talks with the only team he’s ever played for and figure something else out.
“Hey, Phil! What’s your favorite part about driving down the 405?”
Rivers cited not wanting to move his family as the issue with LA but, uh, what does he think is happening if he plays somewhere else? In other words, this Los Angeles hatred might be legit.
A couple things to remember here. One, the Chargers have the franchise tag to use. Two, Rivers could simply be making a power play with San Diego ownership. In both cases it behooves everyone to remember Rivers is a pretty stubborn dude. Would he hold out if he’s tagged? Sure, why not. And it would be expensive for the Chargers too (north of $20 million for just 2016).
Three, Ben Roethlisberger just got a $100 million contract from the Steelers. He and Rivers, despite the Super Bowl ring differential, are in the same financial class. Rivers will turn 34 but he will command a massive contract when his current deal runs up.
So let’s at least consider a few potential landing spots, operating under the assumption that geography matters (the Rams would fit but we’ll rule them out because L.A.), but getting a chance to win a Super Bowl trumps everything. Except Los Angeles.
We're assuming too that the Chargers actually move in this scenario. Hopefully that's obvious.
1. Philadelphia Eagles — You think Sam Bradford is a good theoretical fit for Chip Kelly’s offense? Rivers would light up the NFL if he was placed in Kelly’s system. Despite his unconventional mechanics, Rivers has as quick a release as there is in the NFL and last year was the most accurate quarterback in the NFL with less than 2.5 seconds to work in the NFL (76.6 percent according to Pro Football Focus; he had the 15th-most drop backs in the league). Rivers is one of the most cerebral quarterbacks in the league, an excellent deep-ball passer and fully capable of working with less than the highest-end weapons. Yes it would be weird for someone from Decatur, Alabama to choose Philly after refusing to play in LA. No offense to cheesesteaks.
2. Buffalo Bills — Trying to topple Tom Brady isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but the Bills need a quarterback and were close to a playoff team in 2014 with Kyle Orton and EJ Manuel. Buffalo has an excellent defense that includes not one but TWO of Rivers college teammates, Mario Williams and Manny Lawson. (They also once drafted John McCargo in the first round. Never forget.) Rex Ryan and Rivers talking on the sideline is a dream come true for television networks and GIF makers around the world. LeSean McCoy is the perfect back to pair with Rivers and Buffalo re-worked Shady’s deal so there’s some cap room coming free after 2016, which would help with signing a high-end quarterback. This feels like a surprisingly viable alternative honestly. Seven children makes shoveling the driveway a lot easier. Put ‘em to work, Phil!
3. Houston Texans — Also in need of a quarterback, Houston has a strong running game with Arian Foster, DeAndre Hopkins in the passing game and a J.J. Watt-led defense that will be good for as long as Watt is bench-pressing cars in a cabin in the woods. He and Rivers could even hang out there in the offseason, grow beards and kill bears. The AFC South is getting better and dealing with Andrew Luck is no fun, but adding Rivers to the Texans would make them a big-time Super Bowl contender immediately. It’s a two-hour flight to Decatur from Houston.
4. Tennessee Titans — The Titans can say whatever they want about Zach Mettenberger but they need a quarterback. Ken Whisenhunt and Rivers would go together like spaghetti and meatball in terms of style, attitude and general intensity. We know they work too, because Whisenhunt did such an excellent job as Rivers offensive coordinator that he landed the Titans job in the first place. Assuming they add Leonard Williams (and not Marcus Mariota) in this draft, the defense is suddenly starting to take shape. Rivers to Tennessee would arguably flip this division on its head; the Titans with Rivers next year would be my pick to win the AFC South over the Colts. That’s how dramatic a turnaround a quarterback like Rivers can make.
BIG-TIME BONUS:
5. Washington Redskins — Doesn’t really feel like something that could work but Dan Snyder is known for making big, splashy moves. This would be bold and Washington feels like a viable team to trade a high pick or 20 in exchange for Rivers if the Chargers want to try and make that happen. Scot McCloughan’s presence as GM severely mitigates the possibility though, given his penchant for building through the draft. We’re talking a top-five or top-10 NFL quarterback here. It alters your franchise. The Redskins badly need a quarterback. They have weapons in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon and a high-end left tackle in Trent Williams. Washington is in the south, kind of.
One hilariously ironic bonus possibility? How about the SAINTS. They’re clearly willing to rebuild and what a ridiculous story it would be if Rivers replaced Drew Brees again. Unlikely given Brees isn’t that much older than Rivers. But some food for thought.
My bet would be Rivers sticking with the Chargers, mainly because moving a family of seven sounds worse than having your eyes stapled open and being forced to watch a 48-hour "Doc McStuffins" marathon.
If he's that unwilling to play in LA? Can't rule anything out.
