Chargers Could Bench Philip Rivers For Tyrod Taylor If Struggles Continue

According to Ian Rapoport, the Chargers could consider benching QB Philip Rivers today against the Broncos if he continues to struggle. 

Rivers has thrown seven interceptions in his past two games, both of them losses to division rival teams in the Raiders and Chiefs. The Chargers are 4-7 with a microscopic margin for error to make the playoffs, and Los Angeles might even need to win out. 

They hope it doesn’t come to this, but Rapoport reports that if they need to, the Chargers will turn to backup QB Tyrod Taylor over Rivers to get a win. 

Chargers HC Anthony Lynn and Rivers have talked and the quarterback knows his production has to be better. Rapoport says the team won’t have a quick hook with Rivers, as they don’t want him looking over his shoulder. They believe their issues on offense go beyond just Rivers and he’s earned enough credit over his career for them to believe he’ll turn it around. 

“I don’t plan on having to make that decision,” Lynn said earlier this week. “I plan on us going and playing our tails off this weekend and getting back in that win column. … Most great athletes, they respond well. I believe Philip is going to respond well.”

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.