The San Diego Chargers and Philip Rivers have agreed on a four-year contract extension worth over $80 million heading into the 2015 and it comes after offseason trade speculation for the quarterback and the deal could set a number for Eli Manning with the Giants, as Manning is coming into the final year of his contract and could get a new deal.
The team announced the news on Saturday night and according to NFL.com, the contract has over $60 million in guaranteed money. Rivers was mentioned in trade rumors this offseason there were reports that the quarterback did not want to stay with the Chargers if the team was going to move to Los Angeles. Now Rivers will be with the team through the 2018 season.
Rivers has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league over the past few years and he is a five time Pro Bowl player. Earlier in the offseason Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune San Diego reported that the Tennessee Titans had interest in Rivers, but a deal never came close to happening. Rivers is the latest quarterback from the 2004 draft class to get an extension, as Ben Roethlisberger recently signed a lucrative new contract.
Rivers will make $83.25 million on the contract extension and according to Adam Schefter, this could set the stage for Eli Manning to get a new deal with the Giants. Rivers is second to Manning among active quarterbacks in consecutive starts and Manning is coming into the final year of his contract. The Giants have said they are hoping to get a deal done and Manning expected to stay in New York for the near future.