What Did the Chargers Say When Drew Could Play Again
No matter what happens in 2020, the Chargers already are guaranteed to practice something that feels seismic, even historic:
They volition make a decision on their starting quarterback.
For this franchise, that hasn't happened since the jump of 2006, when Drew Brees departed via gratis bureau and Philip Rivers took over.
Fourteen years and 235 consecutive starts afterward, Rivers and the team mutually parted means Monday by releasing a statement in which both sides offered praise and thank you.
Owner Dean Spanos called Rivers "the middle and soul of our system." He also highlighted the veteran's power to connect with fans.
Rivers, who will become an unrestricted gratis agent in March, expressed his gratitude and wished his onetime coaches and teammates the best.
And, now, what will the Chargers do at the game's virtually critical position? The possible answers range from in-house to out of left field, from the very bourgeois, Tyrod Taylor, to the ultra assuming, Tom Brady.
The team currently has ii quarterbacks nether contract — Taylor and 2019 fifth-circular draft option Easton Stick.
At xxx, Taylor would give the Chargers a more mobile option and a veteran with enough of experience.
He was the starter for three years with Buffalo from 2015 to 2017, helping the Bills reach the playoffs in his terminal flavour. Taylor is 23-21-1 as an NFL starter.
In Buffalo, he played for Anthony Lynn, who was the Bills' running backs coach in 2015 and offensive coordinator in 2016 before being hired to be the Chargers' head coach.
Taylor signed a two-year contract last offseason, the idea beingness he would back upward Rivers. Both Taylor and Lynn said their familiarity with one another facilitated the bargain.
Last season, Taylor was given little opportunity to operate the offense, playing only 31 snaps.
Stick, 24, was taken with the 166th overall selection in April. Having played at North Dakota State, he is considered more than of a longer-term project and was inactive all flavour.
Soon subsequently the conclusion of the regular flavour, the rumors regarding Brady and the Chargers picked upward momentum. The longtime New England Patriot and half dozen-time Super Bowl winner also is scheduled to become a costless agent next month.
He still could re-sign with the only NFL team for which he has played, the one that drafted him in the sixth round in 2000.
If Brady does leave New England, notwithstanding, the Chargers are believed to exist 1 of his preferred destinations. Though he will exist 43 by the time the 2020 season begins, Brady would give the Chargers one of the NFL'southward most marquee names inbound their beginning season in the new SoFi Stadium.
(Peter Aiken / Getty Images)
He also is coming off a twelvemonth in which he passed for 4,057 yards and 24 touchdowns with only eight interceptions despite having a noticeable lack of weapons.
The Chargers have struggled to establish themselves in the Los Angeles market place in the 3 seasons since they relocated from San Diego. Brady would immediately become their No. 1 selling indicate.
After Brady, in that location is no shortage of notable free-agent possibilities at quarterback, including Dak Prescott, Ryan Tannehill, Jameis Winston, Teddy Bridgewater and Marcus Mariota.
No matter what the Chargers decide to practice regarding a veteran at the position, they too are expected to draft another quarterback in April.
Their starting time choice comes at No. 6, a spot where they could select Oregon's Justin Herbert, the young quarterback with whom they have been most frequently continued.
Louisiana State's Joe Burrow and Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa are generally considered to be the peak two bachelor at the position, but both effigy to be gone in the first 5 picks.
Wherever the Chargers plough for their side by side starting quarterback, a memorable era in squad history officially ended Mon.
"In that location'south only one Philip Rivers, and we've been fortunate to call him our QB1 for the better function of two decades," Spanos said. "We cannot thank Philip enough for giving it his all on every single downwards and for the memories he created that will last a lifetime."
Rivers was the fill-in to Brees during his first two NFL seasons. Afterward Brees left for New Orleans in March of 2006, Rivers took over every bit the starter. He held the task for all of the Chargers' 224 regular-season and 11 playoff games since and is the franchise leader in more than 30 categories, including passing yards and touchdowns.
"I never took for granted the opportunity to lead this team out on to the field for 235 games," Rivers said. "We had a lot of groovy moments, beginning in San Diego and then finishing in L.A. I wish my teammates and coaches zilch merely the all-time moving forrard."
At 38, Rivers has expressed a desire to continue playing. Throughout much of 2019, he and the Chargers operated under the belief that he would re-sign for at least one more than yr.
Rivers put together back-to-back efficient and productive seasons afterwards Lynn took over as head autobus. In 2018, the Chargers finished 12-4 and advanced to the playoffs, winning an AFC wild-card game in Baltimore.
But Rivers struggled with turnovers this past season, finishing with 20 interceptions to match the second-highest total of his career. He also lost iii fumbles.
Nevertheless, as late equally early December, it appeared the Chargers were willing to keep Rivers. Their position eventually changed as the squad lost 6 of its final seven games to stop 5-eleven and winless in the AFC Westward.
"Later stepping back a bit from last season, nosotros reconnected with Philip and his representatives to look at how 2019 played out … " general manager Tom Telesco said. "As we talked through various scenarios, it became apparent that it would be best for Philip and the Chargers to turn the page on what has truly been a remarkable run."
Rivers is an viii-fourth dimension Pro Basin selection who led the Chargers to the playoffs half dozen times, winning five of 11 postseason games.
The team reached the AFC championship game in the 2007 season, losing 21-12 at New England. That was the only time Rivers and the Chargers advanced across the divisional round.
"In anything you lot practice, it'southward the people yous do it with that make information technology special," Rivers said. "In that location are and so many relationships and memories with coaches, support staff and teammates that will last forever, and for that I am and so thankful. … I'thousand non sure what the future holds, but my family and I look forward to seeing what God has planned for u.s.a. next."
Source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2020-02-10/philip-rivers-chargers-free-agent-not-re-sign-nfl
0 Response to "What Did the Chargers Say When Drew Could Play Again"
Post a Comment