Good morning.
Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego writes that the San Diego Chargers should trade quarterback Philip Rivers if the organization believes Marcus Mariota can be the team's franchise quarterback moving forward.
It's a bold statement by Acee, who knows Rivers well and understands what the veteran quarterback means to this franchise. Acee believes the family-oriented Rivers would rather retire than play in Los Angeles if the team moves there in 2016 or 2017.
Further, moving Rivers via trade to the Tennessee Titans offers a soft landing for everyone involved. The Titans get a franchise quarterback, Rivers can relocate closer to his family roots in Alabama and the Chargers get their franchise quarterback of the future.
You certainly have to respect the desires of a quarterback such as Rivers, who has done a lot for the franchise and enters the final year of his deal in 2015. But if you're general manager Tom Telesco, you can't let one player dictate decisions that will affect a team's ability to compete for a championship over the long haul.
Rivers, 33, gives San Diego the best opportunity to win a Super Bowl. If healthy, which I believe Rivers is, he can play at a high level for at least another three years.
We don't know what type of player Mariota will be in the NFL. The Chargers should keep Rivers for another season, and worry about what may happen in the future after the completion of the 2015 season.
Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith of The Mighty 1090 AM radio talk with Acee about the Chargers potentially trading Rivers in this audio link.
Peter King of Sports Illustrated doesn't believe the Chargers will trade Rivers.
Darren Smith of The Mighty 1090 AM radio talks with Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, who believes Rivers being traded to the Titans is a pipe dream in this audio link.
Bill Barnwell of Grantland believes that outside linebacker, guard and receiver are San Diego's top needs. I would add running back to that list.
Ricky Henne of Chargers.com writes that the arrow is pointing up for nose tackle Ryan Carrethers.
Nick Canepa of U-T San Diego writes that there were no champagne toasts with NFL executive Eric Grubman visiting to talk about the stadium issue on Tuesday.
