Marcus Mariota ending up in a Chargers uniform and Philip Rivers being traded to the Titans seems like a realistic possibility the more we’re hearing about things.
Earlier this week, UT San Diego’s Kevin Acee argued that the Chargers should trade Rivers, who is under contract with them for one more season. He said Rivers does not want to move to Los Angeles, which is where the franchise appears to be heading. Instead, Rivers prefers to be traded to the Tennessee Titans.
On Thursday, Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole said the Chargers are willing to trade Rivers to Tennessee for the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft, which would likely enable them to select Mariota.
“Sources indicate that the San Diego Chargers will ultimately make a deal with the Tennessee Titans for the No. 2 overall pick,” Cole said on “Inside Buzz.”
An interesting part about Cole’s report is that he says the Chargers would also have to include their first-round pick (No. 17 overall) in the deal, whereas Acee thought the team would be able to keep it. Cole also says the Chargers are not willing to pay Rivers on a long-term deal after his current contract expires because they are worried about his long-term health.
Though Rivers is as tough as they come and has not missed a regular season game since 2006, he has taken a beating and quietly played through multiple serious injuries throughout his career. The Chargers have a much better understanding of the beating his endured than anyone else and would be justified in having concerns about his health over the next few years.
