Chargers moving on from Philip Rivers after 16 years

[The Frankish Reich]

Just now, Utah John said:

If he's living in extreme NW Florida, the closest NFL franchise to his home would be New Orleans.  

 

Rivers is a tough sell.  He thinks he's still a starting QB and will want to get paid like one, and will not be content to be a backup somewhere.  I think he'll end up just sitting until some team that figures it's ready to win right now loses its starting QB to injury, and needs to find the right short-term replacement.

I'm already loving this QB free agent offseason. 

Brady, Rivers, Bridgewater, Dalton -- let's saw you're a team that thinks (remember, most teams that think this are delusional) that they are one accomplished veteran QB away from competing for a Super Bowl. Maybe you're the Bucs, or the Steelers (if Ben doesn't make it back, or doesn't make it back on schedule), or the Colts (if you've seen enough of Brissette), or the Bears (ditto Trubisky). Which one do you go with? Assuming they all fit within your cap structure, which they (Brady) probably won't. Is it a different guy that's the right fit for each team?

[MJS]

1 hour ago, wagon127 said:

Its too perfect of an idea for Brady to go there. Play in his home state, anchor the LA fan base to being Charger fans in the new stadium. And Brady then mentors whoever the new guy or young guy would be there. Trying not to get too excited.

Brady is not a good mentor. He's been a selfish player his whole career.

[The Frankish Reich]

Just now, MJS said:

Brady is not a good mentor. He's been a selfish player his whole career.

And that's the way it is with most all-time greats at their position. They just aren't interested in playing the "mentor ready to hand the job off to a protege" role. I remember in baseball when Troy Tulowitzki, the always-injured formerly great SS, was asked this about his soon-to-be replacement, Trevor Story. He answered honestly with a kind of brush-off to the reporter, essentially saying that he had no interest in that. Maybe Eli was good with Daniel Jones, but Eli was not all-time great. Peyton was supposedly helpful to Brock Osweiler (if he was, you'd never know it from Brock's play), but he had no interest in sticking around as a backup after that lucky SB win.

[thenorthremembers]

11 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

True. But by the same token -- no one will ever accuse Philip Rivers of "refusing to play QB." No, he'll play and play and play his own particular version of forcing the ball downfield regardless of the situation, and the results will be thrilling and and horrifying in roughly equal measure. At this stage of their careers, I think maybe Rivers is the poor man's Fitzy.

Honestly, Ill take someone who turns the ball over deep, essentially punting the ball, than someone who wont throw it because they are scared of it.   The guy is one year removed from 32 touchdowns to 12 ints, and a 12-4 record.   I dont think he suddenly stops throwing ints, and he is for sure at the end, but I wouldnt take Taylor over him right now.   But, for what its worth Taylor is probably a better bridge QB to a rookie because its easier to rip the band aid off, than do it like the Giants did with Eli.

[MJS]

Just now, The Frankish Reich said:

And that's the way it is with most all-time greats at their position. They just aren't interested in playing the "mentor ready to hand the job off to a protege" role. I remember in baseball when Troy Tulowitzki, the always-injured formerly great SS, was asked this about his soon-to-be replacement, Trevor Story. He answered honestly with a kind of brush-off to the reporter, essentially saying that he had no interest in that. Maybe Eli was good with Daniel Jones, but Eli was not all-time great. Peyton was supposedly helpful to Brock Osweiler (if he was, you'd never know it from Brock's play), but he had no interest in sticking around as a backup after that lucky SB win.

 

Agreed. Favre was also extremely threatened by Rodgers. Brady was threatened by Jimmy G. Seems like the best mentors are the career backups who jump around from team to team and learn a lot of offenses.

[White Linen]

IMO, the chargers are one of the worst ran organizations in the NFL.  They squandered the careers of Rivers, Gates and Tomlinson.  

[Orlando Tim]

Many people are discussing Rivers as if he will have to drive to Tampa- he can jump in a charter plane that can get him to Tampa in about an hour and stay there in a nice apartment a few nights a week. If his travel budget is 500000 and he is making 12 million then it is a good investment.

[njbuff]

Rivers is 39 freaking years old.

 

Just walk away like Eli did.

 

Rivers had a great career. Wherever he goes, he aint winning a SB, so he should just hang em up.

[Punching Bag]

2 hours ago, Pete said:

Tom Brady to Chargers.  That’s been my prediction for long time, and I’m sticking to it

 

So you are saying they are acting like douches so will sign a douche.

 

Will people call their head coach a douche if quits because he does not want a lying, cheater as leader of their team?

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

2 hours ago, Pete said:

Tom Brady to Chargers.  That’s been my prediction for long time, and I’m sticking to it

 

Definitely would not bet  the under on that one.  Sounds like a good landing spot for him as the Chargers need a big draw (or any draw) with the new stadium and they have a decent team around him.  Last year at this time they were one of the favorites to go deep into the playoffs this past season.

[H2o]

Rivers could also be nice bridge QB in Carolina. 

[Pokebball]

2 hours ago, Pete said:

Would be great backup for Josh. 

I don't think you want that personality in the Buffalo locker room.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

49 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

I'm already loving this QB free agent offseason. 

Brady, Rivers, Bridgewater, Dalton -- let's saw you're a team that thinks (remember, most teams that think this are delusional) that they are one accomplished veteran QB away from competing for a Super Bowl. Maybe you're the Bucs, or the Steelers (if Ben doesn't make it back, or doesn't make it back on schedule), or the Colts (if you've seen enough of Brissette), or the Bears (ditto Trubisky). Which one do you go with? Assuming they all fit within your cap structure, which they (Brady) probably won't. Is it a different guy that's the right fit for each team?

 

Don't forget Cam in there too.  Though who knows what the Panthers will end up doing

 

 

46 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

And that's the way it is with most all-time greats at their position. They just aren't interested in playing the "mentor ready to hand the job off to a protege" role. I remember in baseball when Troy Tulowitzki, the always-injured formerly great SS, was asked this about his soon-to-be replacement, Trevor Story. He answered honestly with a kind of brush-off to the reporter, essentially saying that he had no interest in that. Maybe Eli was good with Daniel Jones, but Eli was not all-time great. Peyton was supposedly helpful to Brock Osweiler (if he was, you'd never know it from Brock's play), but he had no interest in sticking around as a backup after that lucky SB win.

 

True, though Brady seems to be one of the worst in that respect.  From all accounts, he drove Jimmy G out of town.  How many others can claim that!

[machine gun kelly]

2 hours ago, DCOrange said:

 

If the rumors of where he moved to are true, Nashville, New Orleans, and Atlanta are all closer to his new home than the Florida teams. He's not really close to any NFL team. Would be like driving in from NYC to play for the Bills every day.

That’s not completely accurate except for Atlanta as you’re right Destin is closer to ATL, but there are non stop 30 minutes flights to Tampa.  Tampa is the perfect spot for him as Arians made Palmer a huge success at the end of his career, and would love to move on from Winston like every single Bucs fan.

 

Winston is not getting better.  If he signed, the Bucs wouldn’t have to give Winston another year for $20 mil.  The Bucs had the #3 overall offense, #1 in the pass, and yes would need to improve in the rush game, but part of that is they played from behind quite often.  They also have the #1 rush defense, but sucked in pass defense.  It makes sense as the secondary sucks down here.  Rivers would be perfect.  Before anyone says anything to me about a Bucs fan, I am as I’ve lived here half my life, but never over my Bills.  I root for the Bucs every game, except once every four years when they play the Bills.  I’ve been to every Tampa, Bills game since 93, and worn my Bills jersey every time.

 

I do agree they should draft a QB as well as LA chargers, but could easily see Brady going to LA. For both guys it’s probably just a 2 year contract and help develop the young guy like Garropolo did under Brady and is now the starter in the SB.

 

I’ve always liked Rivers, and a big part of his problem kind of like Eli is he’s had a weak team around him.  That’s my two cents.  If his family is in Birmingham, that’s also a very short trip non stop from Tampa.  I just can’t see him wanting to go to two developing or weaker teams like Jax and Miami.  ATL, nor New Orleans wouldn’t want him with their current QB’s not to mention the dead cap $ if either wanted to move on from their QB’s, especially NO as they have their next QB already on their roster.

[Saint Doug]

2 hours ago, wagon127 said:

Its too perfect of an idea for Brady to go there. Play in his home state, anchor the LA fan base to being Charger fans in the new stadium. And Brady then mentors whoever the new guy or young guy would be there. Trying not to get too excited.

Absolutely not. Every great QB plays for about 2 years past their true retirement age. During this time, they become a huge liability for their team. For what we’ve been through for the last 2 decades, we deserve every minute of that glorious downfall. I don’t want him out of the AFC East. 

[1st&ten]

1 hour ago, Utah John said:

If he's living in extreme NW Florida, the closest NFL franchise to his home would be New Orleans.  It would be ironic if we had the Rivers-Brees contest all over again, but I really don't think NO will do anything with Brees until Brees says he's done.

 

Rivers is a tough sell.  He thinks he's still a starting QB and will want to get paid like one, and will not be content to be a backup somewhere.  I think he'll end up just sitting until some team that figures it's ready to win right now loses its starting QB to injury, and needs to find the right short-term replacement.

 

I could very well see this happening. One way or another, I think he plays somewhere next year.

[K-9]

2 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

Man, this just seems so cold..not that they are moving on, just the way it is coming out. Shades of February 99 i guess....cmon teams, yall can do better than this

I appreciate the sentiment, but there is really no delicate way of cutting ties with a long time player who still wants to play in the league even if you don’t want him. 
 

I’m sure that when he hangs ‘em up, the Charters will give him a proper ceremony. 

[1st&ten]

2 minutes ago, Saint Doug said:

Absolutely not. Every great QB plays for about 2 years past their true retirement age. During this time, they become a huge liability for their team. For what we’ve been through for the last 2 decades, we deserve every minute of that glorious downfall. I don’t want him out of the AFC East. 

 

So are you saying you liked to see the Bills finally be able to slap him around a little bit ?

[Billl]

Brady will go to the Chargers.  Rivers will go to Tennessee or Tampa.  Tennessee would be the smarter play, as I don’t see a closer comp in the league to Rivers than Winston.  Bridgewater or Dalton would be solid fits in Tampa.

[Moulds 808080]

Wouldn't it be funny if he finished his career as a Giant!!????

[The Frankish Reich]

24 minutes ago, Saint Doug said:

Absolutely not. Every great QB plays for about 2 years past their true retirement age. During this time, they become a huge liability for their team. For what we’ve been through for the last 2 decades, we deserve every minute of that glorious downfall. I don’t want him out of the AFC East. 

I dunno about that 2 years too long. There were a bunch of sad old QBs trying to squeeze out another year many years ago: Joe Namath, LA Rams; Johnny Unitas, Chargers. And a bunch more I’ve long forgotten. But the last few greats or very goods seem to fare ok: Favre with the Jets/Vikes (better than you remember!), even Montana with the Chiefs (actually really good), not to mention Peyton with the Broncos (great for 3 years, just barely good enough to win a SB in the 4th). I kind of like watching these end of career experiments. My guess (and I hate to say it): I think Brady has a couple good years left in him and he’d play better with the weapons Tampa or even the Chargers have. And yes, get him out of our division, whatever it takes. I’ll take my chances with Jarrett Stidham. (Now watch them get the best available QB out there)

[cd1]

Nashville is a 1 hour and 15 minute flight from Pensacola, Fl ...

 

Nashville, TN—Pensacola, FL

Nonstop (2 per day) 1 h 15 min

Round trip price, Feb 12 – 16 from $253

 

I think Rivers might have the $$$ somewhere to make that happen.

[ganesh]

3 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Would the Bears be a possibility for Rivers?

 

I have been reading that they arent ready to give up on Trubisky yet but maybe they should..

why. It hasn't all been Tubisky;s fault.  They took away his run game and playmakers.   The Khalil mack trade is hurting to bring in talent for the offense...I hope Beane doesn't do something like that...Josh will then be in the same boat.

Edited January 28, 2020 by ganesh

[Doc Brown]

I hope the Chargers jump the Fins and take Tua.

[Formerly Allan in MD]

If he still wants to play, he'll find a taker.  And it doesn't matter where.  All this talk about his moving to Florida being meaningful actually only means one obvious thing: he's near retirement.

[BigBuff423]

Honestly it’s too early to give up on Josh Rosen IMHO. He’s been put into two terrible situations and one of the best things for him would be to sit another year and let Rivers lead the Miami team for a year. If the Fins could do that and get him to buy in for one more year, it might help both the franchise and Rosen in his development.

[Mr. WEO]

4 hours ago, LeGOATski said:

Bruce Arians might the perfect coach for Rivers right now...

 

After playing for 16 years, not sure the Rivers is just lacking a certain HC at this point....

[Hapless Bills Fan]

4 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

Man, this just seems so cold..not that they are moving on, just the way it is coming out. Shades of February 99 i guess....cmon teams, yall can do better than this

 

Yeah, you would think the team would make a respectful announcement, thank Rivers, say a few polite and complimentary things about the last 16 seasons, wish him the best.   Though maybe that was their intent, and it got leaked.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

He would make the Colts and Buccaneers instant conference championship contenders.  Bears too probably but we don't know how well he would handle the elements of Chicago and Green Bay.  

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 minutes ago, BigBuff423 said:

Honestly it’s too early to give up on Josh Rosen IMHO. He’s been put into two terrible situations and one of the best things for him would be to sit another year and let Rivers lead the Miami team for a year. If the Fins could do that and get him to buy in for one more year, it might help both the franchise and Rosen in his development.

 

I don't think Miami has Fitzy under contract and hired Chan Gailey so that they could bring in Rivers.

[Chicken Boo]

Chargers should consider trading for Rosen.  He can probably be had for a 2nd or 3rd rounder. 

 

He's a Cali boy, still only 22.  The table is set for him in LA with talent-a-plenty and a very good offensive mind, in Anthony Lynn.

[LSHMEAB]

I honestly believe he will have a very tough time finding a suitor for the 20 or so mil it would cost to sign him.

 

His demands would be considered "diva" behavior if he weren't a (sort of) beloved tenured QUARTERBACK.

 

Team's are willing to put up with the demands as long as the player is elite. Once that is no longer the case, the demands suddenly become a non starter.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

4 hours ago, DCOrange said:

If the rumors of where he moved to are true, Nashville, New Orleans, and Atlanta are all closer to his new home than the Florida teams. He's not really close to any NFL team. Would be like driving in from NYC to play for the Bills every day.

 

Mmmmm.... Tampa about same distance as Tenn?  Jax about same distance as Atlanta.

 

I'm thinking he's talking to Tampa Bay or Jax.  I'm sure he'd get a condo for during the week, but it would be close enough he could potentially get home for a day off.

 

Do they have any interest would be the question?

 

 

[Augie]

8 minutes ago, Chicken Boo said:

Chargers should consider trading for Rosen.  He can probably be had for a 2nd or 3rd rounder. 

 

He's a Cali boy, still only 22.  The table is set for him in LA with talent-a-plenty and a very good offensive mind, in Anthony Lynn.

 

Rosen has to show something, anything, before anyone is going to look at him as more than a prayer. He’s got value, but I don’t think anyone relies on him as their starter at this point. 

[teef]

Sunrise, sunset. 

[Augie]

1 minute ago, teef said:

Sunrise, sunset. 

 

I remember those, but it’s winter and they are just a distant memory. Enough of the gray, bring on the spring! 

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

All I can say for sure is that it's great that the Bills aren't involved in any of this QB turmoil.  If anything materializes for Buffalo, it may be an opportunity to upgrade the backup QB position.

[3rdand12]

4 hours ago, JoPoy88 said:

Well yes if he plays for anyone he’s not commuting in from the florida-alabama line week in and week out. It’s certainly easier to get back to homebase occasionally from florida or louisiana than LA or Boston though. 
 

From his statements it seems like he wants to play, so if I had to bet I’d say Tampa.

I would bet he is done after this announcement. and god Bless him honestly.  Upstanding fellow and i have great respect for him in every facet.

Please retire  Mr Phillip Rivers

enjoy : )

7 minutes ago, teef said:

Sunrise, sunset. 

cannot put my finger on it. But i can hear it. Song by the 1967 Pink Floyd.

[IDBillzFan]

1 hour ago, Doc Brown said:

I hope the Chargers jump the Fins and take Tua.

 

The Fish are sitting on three first-round picks this year and two more next year. No one is jumping over them for anything if they want it badly enough.

 

 

Edited January 28, 2020 by IDBillzFan

[YoloinOhio]

17 minutes ago, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

All I can say for sure is that it's great that the Bills aren't involved in any of this QB turmoil.  If anything materializes for Buffalo, it may be an opportunity to upgrade the backup QB position.

Irrespective of Rivers, I think this is a need. I love Barkley as a teammate and seems like a great guy, mentor, in film room etc but if josh goes down the bills are toast. I would prefer someone I have a little more confidence in behind Allen. Barkley’s arm is a noodle and he’s not getting any better. I don’t know who Is available at what price but I think the bills should invest in better backup. 

Edited January 28, 2020 by YoloinOhio