The Tennessee Titans may consider a trade for Philip Rivers if the San Diego Chargers want to move up for the right to draft Marcus Mariota and if Rivers is traded, it will end a long, successful run with the team and this comes as the Cleveland Browns, NY Jets and other teams have been interested in trading for the pick with just a couple weeks until the NFL draft.
The Chargers are reportedly "serious" about their interest in Mariota and could consider trading their longtime quarterback in Rivers to get it done. According to Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego, the chargers worked out Marcus Mariota in Oregon this week and if they see him as a player that can be a successful NFL quarterback, they likely will trade up to get him. Acee has been close to the story all offseason and he reported months ago that the Chargers were interested.
While the Chargers have supported Rivers publicly and have said they are not seeking a trade, the team has some issues with the quarterback moving forward. Rivers is coming into the final year of his contract and said he has no problems playing it out, but that means the quarterback situation is not secure long term. The Chargers may want to keep Rivers, but if they want Mariota they likely will have to trade him.
The team could sign Rivers to a new deal, but according to the Union-Tribune San Diego, the QB is weary about the potential to move to Los Angeles and that could factor into things as well. Acee writes that the team knows about Rivers' concerns about the LA move and that he is "serious" about not wanting to play there. The team once had a similar situation after drafting Rivers, as he looked ready and Drew Brees was still the quarterback. Brees was later traded.
All of that compounded with the fact that the Titans could use a legitimate starting quarterback makes these teams logical partners in a trade. According to ESPN.com, the Cleveland Browns, NY Jets and Chicago Bears are also interested in drafting Mariota. The Browns have the firepower to make a move, as they have two first round picks and the most selections of any team in the draft. The Jets also could look at making a move up, as they have a valuable pick in the number six selection.
The Titans have the cap space to take on the salary and David Climer at the Tennesseean writes that the deal could be worth it to get a franchise quarterback. Rivers also has a connection to head coach Ken Whisenhunt as he was the offensive coeditor in San Diego in 2013. Rivers came back after having a tough season with 15 interceptions and he bounced back, putting up a career high completion percentage and going for 32 touchdowns and just 11 picks.
The Chargers have the number 17 pick and they likely would have to give up Rivers and other picks to move up. Reports have the Chargers wanting a first round pick in return for Rivers and possibly multiple picks, but getting number two and Mariota could be worth it for Mike McCoy and the Chargers.
