In a surprising bit of news, San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was rather frank when discussing his future with the team in an interview with U-T San Diego’s Kevin Acee on Tuesday.
Rivers, 33, is entering a contract year with the Chargers. And while other veteran quarterbacks are seemingly willing to sign long-term extensions, it appears Rivers isn’t convinced about the direction (or potential location) of the Chargers moving forward.
In addition to indicating that he will not sign a new deal with San Diego prior to the conclusion of the 2015 season, Rivers had this to say:
What we’ve established here with my growing family is hard to recreate,”the veteran quarterback said. “It’s hard to up and recreate that. I know that moves are part of life. But that certainly is fair to say that (not knowing where the Chargers are playing in 2016) is part of it. The good thing is I’m not under contract in a year where we’d potentially be in Los Angeles.
It surely sounds like Rivers isn’t in tune with the organization when it comes to a potential move north.
Regardless of whether Rivers actually signs an extension with the Chargers, they hold the ability to place the franchise tag on him next offseason. Set to count $17.4 million against the cap in 2015, Rivers wouldn’t see a huge raise under the franchise tender the following year.
There’s also an unlikely possibility that the Chargers realize internally that they will not be returning to San Diego in 2016. If so, they know exactly how Rivers feels about relocation.
Could this lead to the Chargers actually entertaining trade offers for the quarterback? However unlikely that may sound, the team might have to prepare for the future—a future that Rivers may not want to be a part of should it include Los Angeles.
Photo: USA Today