Finding a franchise quarterback is about as difficult as it gets for NFL decision makers. Those who are able to find an elite passer are usually the ones who are able to stay employed, but those who whiff on a quarterback in the NFL Draft are the general managers and head coaches who tend to get fired.
Why would the Chargers trade Philip Rivers?
Trading Philip Rivers is a bold move that could actually benefit the Chargers.
So why would the San Diego Chargers willingly trade away Philip Rivers, one of the NFL's best quarterbacks?
Rivers has spent his entire NFL career with the Chargers after the New York Giants took him with the fourth overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft and promptly traded him to San Diego for Eli Manning. After spending two seasons behind Drew Brees, Rivers took over and started 144 consecutive games for the Chargers, a streak that is still alive.
In his nine seasons as the starter in San Diego, Rivers has an 88-56 record with 252 touchdowns, 122 interceptions and five Pro Bowl nods. Only Dan Fouts has more passing yards, touchdowns and Pro Bowls in Chargers history, although Rivers is just two touchdown passes and one Pro Bowl trip behind Fouts.
Yet, parting with the team’s prolific quarterback isn’t that illogical of a move for the Chargers.
Why the Chargers trading Rivers makes sense
1. Rivers isn’t committed long-term
Rivers has just one year left on the seven-year contract he signed in 2009 and has made it clear he has no intention of signing an extension with the team anytime soon.
With rumblings of a move to Los Angeles and plenty of roster building to be done, Rivers isn’t sold on the future of the Chargers and doesn’t want to tie himself to the team past the 2015 season. That means the Chargers could end up losing Rivers anyway during the 2016 offseason for nothing.
Well, not exactly nothing. If Rivers signs a big contract elsewhere in free agency, the Chargers would likely receive a high-value compensatory pick for the 2017 NFL Draft. But compensatory selections can’t go any higher than the third round.
If the Chargers trade Rivers now, they’ll miss him in 2015, but cash in their chips big while they still can.
2. The Chargers need to find a young quarterback anyway
Even if Rivers signed a long-term extension with the team tomorrow and the Chargers elected to keep him around until he’s ready to retire, Rivers is still turning 34 during the 2015 season.
Finding a new franchise quarterback is tough, but the Chargers will have to do it at some point, so why pass on the chance to take a player of Marcus Mariota’s caliber when it could be an option? Who knows if the Chargers will be presented with a comparable chance in the future?
Why the Chargers trading Rivers doesn’t make sense
Must Reads
1. Rivers is a known commodity
The Chargers can like Mariota all they want, but until he plays a game, we’re all just guessing how good he’ll be in the NFL. No team needs to be reminded of the dangers of taking a young quarterback early in the NFL Draft less than the team that selected Ryan Leaf.
Mariota could turn out to be a solid NFL quarterback, but for now, the Chargers have a five-time Pro Bowler who garnered MVP talk, at times, during the 2014 season. A drop-off in production and quality of play is inevitable, but Rivers hasn’t shown any signs to suggest he’ll be anything less than one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL in 2015.
2. Win now
Guard Orlando Franklin just signed a five-year, $35.5 million contract in March. The Chargers also signed wide receiver Stevie Johnson to bolster their passing game.
Those moves would suggest that San Diego is ready to compete for a spot in the playoffs right now. But trading away a Pro Bowl quarterback to replace him with a 21-year-old rookie would send the opposite message. It would say the Chargers are ready to patiently rebuild the roster and try to compete for the AFC West title once Mariota has adjusted to the NFL.
With Peyton Manning showing signs of a possible decline late in the 2014 season, the AFC West looks as open for the taking as ever, and the Chargers could be in prime position to grab it if Rivers is the one taking the snaps.
Likelihood of Chargers trading Rivers: 6/10
Any kind of blockbuster trade involving a franchise quarterback should be taken with a grain of salt. But in the case of Rivers, it’s not an outrageous proposition. The Chargers might be missing an opportunity if they don’t make the move that seems to be laid out in front of them. Even Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, who is candid about his friendship with Rivers, says the team should trade the veteran quarterback if Mariota is the guy it wants.
SB Nation presents: AFC West team needs in the NFL Draft
See More:
