The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to part ways with quarterback Philip Rivers after this season as his contract expires, per a CBS report on Sunday.
Philip Rivers is slated to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career come 2020. Expect him to explore it, and end up parting ways with the Los Angeles Chargers.
According to CBS Sports insider Jason La Canfora, the Chargers and Rivers aren’t believed to renew their partnership after this season. La Canfora spoke on the subject with CBS personality Jim Rome on NFL Today.
“Multiple people in that organization say they expect the parting of the ways in 2020. You mention the age, the contract, they’ve had no contract talks. None are expected. Jim, you live in that area. They are marketing to Inglewood, fighting the Rams for that market. Philip lives in San Diego, hasn’t really embraced the move. That has grated on some people in that organization.”
The Chargers don’t have a long-term succession plan in place, with Tyrod Taylor currently the backup quarterback. However, Los Angeles could be headed for a top-15 pick in a draft filled with prospects from Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa to Justin Herbert and Jake Fromm among others.
Rivers, who turns 38 years old in December, has struggled mightily this season. The potential future Hall of Famers has thrown 15 touchdowns an 14 interceptions, the latter being the second-most in the league. Over the past few weeks, Rivers has thrown seven picks in losses to the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs in primetime tilts.
Should Rivers move on, they’ll likely be a number of interest suitors. The Chicago Bears would likely be among them, while the Carolina Panthers make sense if they move on from Cam Newton. Newton could be released for a $19.2 million savings in 2020, and Rivers played his college ball at North Carolina State.