It appears Philip Rivers is taking a page out of the Russell Wilson playbook.
Rivers and the Chargers will reportedly shut down contract negotiations if the two sides haven’t come to a favorable agreement by the time San Diego plays its first preseason game on August 13, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune:
“The Chargers will host the Cowboys on Aug. 13. If the quarterback and team have not agreed to an extension by then, they aren’t expected to this year, sources said Sunday.”
Gehlken notes the two sides are not engaged in any contentious negotiations and that it’s understood the contract will be shelved until 2016 if no deal is struck.
This falls in line with what Rivers has recently stated, namely that he’s not planning on protesting if a deal isn’t struck.
“What I can control and all I know as of today, I am signed up for one more year,” Rivers said in March (h/t U-T San Diego), “and when camp gets here I’m even more certain to play it out.”
Set to make $15.75 million this year, Rivers is currently a tremendous bargain compared to the other top quarterbacks. He’d certainly like to see that remedied but doesn’t appear to feel pressure to make it happen under duress.
That said, perhaps by setting this deadline Rivers and his agent will spur the Chargers into action. Everybody performs better when outside concerns are alleviated, and San Diego desperately needs its quarterback playing at the highest level possible this year to compete for a championship.
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