Pro-bowl caliber quarterbacks don't often get traded. Normally, a franchise locks them up until they either retire or can't play. But a situation is brewing in San Diego in which the Chargers may be forced to deal QB Philip Rivers.
Rivers is entering the final year of his contract and has said that he has no interest in signing an extension at the moment. He is reportedly unhappy with the team's desire to move to Los Angeles in the coming years and could walk in free agency next year. Sure, the Chargers could slap him with the franchise tag, but that could cost them north of $20 million. If they aren't willing to pay that price and really believe Rivers will sign elsewhere, they may not want to risk losing him for nothing. Trading Rivers now would generate the most in return.
"The Titans are rumored to be interested in Rivers, which makes this month the perfect trade time," Jason Fitzgerald of Sporting News wrote. "San Diego could obtain Tennessee's No. 2 overall draft pick in exchange. That trade could be a major win for the Chargers in a year when a quarterback (Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston) would be available and immediately become the face of the team.
"...If the Chargers believe Mariota or Winston can be the face of the franchise, the time to move Rivers is now."
One possible obstacle is a new deal for Rivers. He's about to turn 34 and will need a new contract from the Titans should a trade come to fruition. Will Tennessee be willing to match the annual $21.85 million the Pittsburgh Steelers just gave to Ben Roethlisberger? Rivers is less injury prone than Big Ben and will likely hold up better physically in the long run.
It will be interesting to see how the situation plays out. Rivers' trade value will likely never be higher than it is right now. Is that, plus his looming free agency, enough for the Chargers to concede and start over with a rookie QB? We'll find out once the draft kicks off on April 30.
