According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Chargers and QB Philip Rivers have made “significant progress” toward an agreement on a long-term extension.
San Diego is reportedly willing to make a “sizable commitment” to Rivers to keep him around. However, La Canfora mentions that the Chargers is prepared to franchise Rivers in each of the next two season if they can’t get a deal done over the next few years.
There has been talk that the team potentially relocating to Los Angeles could be an issue of concern for Rivers, but La Canfora downplays this as a legitimate concern.
In the end, La Canfora expects Rivers to join the group of quarterbacks making $20 million per year.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Tuesday that it “appears virtually certain” that the two parties won’t agree to a new contract before the start of the regular season.
Acee adds that there appears to be “one key sticking point” in regards to contract talks between the two parties, but didn’t offer any idea of what this issue is.
Assuming that the Chargers are forced to franchise Rivers in each of the next two years, they’re looking at paying him $25 million in 2016 and another $30 million in 2017.
Rivers, 33, is entering the final year of his seven-year, $98.25 million contract that included $38.15 million guaranteed. He stands to make a base salary of $15.57 million for the 2015 season.
Despite dealing with some injuries last year, Rivers was able to put together another solid season for the Chargers in which he threw for 4,286 yards while completing 66.5 percent of his passes to go along with 31 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 quarterback out of 39 qualifying players.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
