Latest Regarding Chargers Possibly Trading QB Philip Rivers

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media has spoken to several Chargers sources regarding QB Philip Rivers being available for trade.

Interestingly enough, none of Rapoport’s sources were willing to rule out a potential trade, even though the team has maintained publicly that they want him to retire as a member of the Chargers.

Rapoport adds that San Diego has actually shown interest in signing Rivers to a contract extension, but he reportedly has concerns regarding the current state of the team and where they could be playing in the coming years.

According to Rapoport, talks between the two parties are unlikely to take place during the season, and even though the Chargers could franchise him in 2016, there’s a chance that Rivers could walk away from the game and become a coach at some point.

Regarding the idea of Rivers being traded to the Titans, Rapoport says it will be “pricey” for San Diego to get up to No. 2 overall, even with Rivers being a part of the deal.

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Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune San Diego writes that if the Chargers come away from their workout with Oregon QB Marcus Mariota with the belief that he can be a franchise quarterback, they should trade veteran QB Philip Rivers for the right to select Mariota.

San Diego is working out Mariota in Eugene, Oregon on Tuesday and have shown interest in other quarterbacks as well, so they are clearly doing their homework in case they believe it’s in their best interest to move in a new direction at quarterback.

Beyond that, recent reports have said that they may have a trade partner for Rivers in the Tennessee Titans, who are coached by former Chargers’ offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

According to Acee, the Chargers could swing a trade with the Titans and still keep their first round pick by including Rivers in the deal. However, San Diego may need to throw in a later-round pick to complete the move up to No. 2 overall.

In the end, Acee believes this would be the best move for all parties, as Rivers has said that he plans to play out the season before addressing his contract.

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.