At some point here soon the Los Angeles Chargers are going to have to find a long-term replacement for Philip Rivers. The veteran might have put up an MVP-caliber performance in 2017, but he will be turning 37 during the 2018 campaign.
Whether it’s due diligence or something completely different, the Chargers are seemingly looking at this year’s draft class to find that potential heir apparent to Rivers.
According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the team is planning to meet with both USC’s Sam Darnold and UCLA’s Josh Rosen ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft after this month.
To add to the #Chargers QB homework: They are expected to host LA-based passers Josh Rosen of #UCLA and Sam Darnold of #USC on local visits. They don’t count as their top 30 visits. … the benefits of being in LA.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2018
Picking 17th overall, it’s highly unlikely either one will be available to Los Angeles with the 17th pick. Though, with both quarterbacks being based in Southern California, the visits don’t count against the Chargers’ limit of 30 leading up to the draft.
This makes the decision to meet with Darnold and Rosen pretty much common sense for Los Angeles. It’s still a rather interesting dynamic to look at. Could these Chargers actually use their first-round pick to find a long-term replacement for Rivers?
After all, they’ve also met with Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson. One of those quarterbacks could very well be available in the mid first round.