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After five-consecutive seasons with somewhere between seven and nine wins, the San Diego Chargers have been the definition of mediocre ever since their 13-3 season in 2009. According to some rumors, and I cannot put enough stress on the word ‘rumors,’ San Diego may be considering pulling off a blockbuster trade to help escape the humdrum results of the past five years.
According to U-T San Diego reporter Kevin Acee, there’s been speculation in league circles the Chargers could target Marcus Mariota in the draft. For the team to acquire Mariota, they would likely need to package quarterback Philip Rivers with their No. 17 pick in the first-round to move up in the draft.
Rivers turned 33 in December and has been the face of the organization ever since Drew Brees signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency in 2006. The No. 4 pick in the 2004 draft openly wondered how much longer he’d play following San Diego’s final game of the 2014 season, and enters the 2015 season on the last year of his contract. Rivers says he intends to play out the final year on his contract rather than negotiate an extension.
Rivers is interested in seeing how the franchise’s stadium issue is resolved and what direction management goes with the roster before deciding his future. When asked if there was any circumstance that would make him reconsider holding off on signing an extension, Rivers said, “Honestly, nothing.”
With their future at the position up in the air beyond next season, the Chargers would be wise to consider drafting a quarterback with one of their first few picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. With Rivers right now, there’s no doubt the Chargers are a “good” football team, but by no means are they a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Trading Rivers away in a package for a potential superstar in Marcus Mariota would be well worth sacrificing the immediate present for a potentially immense long-term gain.
Could the Tennessee Titans be willing to part with the No. 2 pick in the draft for Rivers and the Chargers’ No. 17 pick? I don’t think the Titans would be making a smart move by doing that trade, but there’s no denying it instantly makes them a whole lot better in 2015, and they might be looking to accelerate their rebuild. Rivers is from Alabama and went to college in nearby North Carolina, so he might be willing to sign an extension with Tennessee.
The Chargers could then take a couple seasons to build their roster around Mariota in hopes of being a perennial Super Bowl contender in the near future. If they’re somehow able to pull it off, trading Rivers to move up for Mariota is a move absolutely worth making if you’re the San Diego Chargers.
Seth Lassen is a writer for RantSports. “Like” him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @Seth_Lassen.
