According to Jason La Canfora, there’s a real chance that the Chargers and QB Philip Rivers decide to part ways at the end of the 2019 season.
Rivers is playing out the final year of his deal this year and the two sides won’t discuss his contract again until after the season. However, La Canfora says it’s far from a foregone conclusion Rivers returns to the team and ownership could be inclined to go in a different direction.
While a team official told La Canfora no personnel decisions have been made yet for next season, Rivers has struggled with interceptions this season. His 14 interceptions are second-most in the NFL and seven have come in the past two weeks in crucial division losses to the Raiders and Chiefs.
La Canfora noted many around the NFL believe Rivers’ decline is obvious and that the Chargers will play backup QB Tyrod Taylor at some point this season when they’re eliminated from playoff contention.
Sources also cited Rivers’ lack of interest in promoting the team’s move to Los Angeles as a factor. Rivers still commutes four hours every day from San Diego and the organization feels like Rivers hasn’t embraced the relocation.
“He doesn’t seem like he wants anything to do with L.A., at a time when the team is actually completing its relocation to L.A.,” one source said.
While Rivers has never expressed a desire to play anywhere else, La Canfora mentions the Bears could be an interesting possibility if he’s not back with the Chargers in 2020.
Rivers, 37, is a former first-round pick of the Giants back in 2004. He was later traded to the Chargers in return for Eli Manning.
Rivers is in the final year of his five-year, $99 million contract that includes $65 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $11 million for the 2019 season.
In 2019, Rivers has appeared in 11 games for the Chargers and completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 3,169 yards to go along with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
We’ll have more regarding Rivers as the news is available.
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