AFC Notes: Chargers, Colts, Raiders

Chargers

While the signs of an impending split between the Chargers and QB Philip Rivers were numerous the past few months, it still didn’t make the decision any easier for GM Tom Telesco given how much Rivers has meant to the franchise. Los Angeles will move on and explore other options for the first time since 2005, with Telesco acknowledging the team will need to be built “different” without Rivers’ steadying presence. 

“It’s really hard, because he’s the starting quarterback, which is the most important position on the field, and he’s been here for 16 years, and he’s played at a high, high level for a long, long time,” Telesco said. “You’re talking about a legend as a player here, a legend as a teammate, he’s a legend as a parent, I mean, he’s done so much for this organization. And it’s natural when players go on the field and play with the passion he does, every game, every practice, that there are emotions involved from a front-office standpoint, too.

“You also have to look: What’s best for the whole organization, what’s best for the football team both in 2020 and beyond that? But no, it’s hard. You spend a lot of time with these players. And obviously the players that are here a long time, you get attached to them.”

• Telesco said of their quarterback situation: “I like our internal options.” (David Popper)

Colts

• The Athletic’s Stephen Holder personally doesn’t see the Colts as a potential landing spot for Chargers QB Philip Rivers, as Rivers would be a band-aid solution at quarterback and Indianapolis has shied away from those types of moves. 
• Holder also cites Rivers’ age, his tendency to be interception-prone and his salary as other potential obstacles to signing with the Colts. 
• However, Holder says Rivers’ familiarity with Colts HC Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni, along with his ability and the ability of Indianapolis to put a strong offensive line around him, are compelling reasons for Rivers to be linked to the Colts. 

Raiders

• The Athletic’s Vic Tafur says the Raiders will go hard after Chiefs DT Chris Jones if he becomes available on the open market. He also mentions WR Demarcus Robinson as another Kansas City free agent Las Vegas would have interest in. 
• Tafur adds that after talking with sources, he is “70 percent” confident that QB Derek Carr starts for the Raiders in 2020. 
• Tafur got the impression from CB Daryl Worley that he wanted to test the free-agent market this offseason and see what is out there. 
• Cowboys DE Robert Quinn could be an option for the Raiders given the connection with Quinn’s former DL coach Rod Marinelli. 
• Raiders RB DeAndre Washington will likely test the open market, with the team also interested in bringing in more of a power back after re-signing Jalen Richard.