The San Diego Chargers may consider a Philip Rivers trade this offseason with the Tennessee Titans to move up to draft Marcus Mariota and this comes as the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, NY Jets and Washington Redskins are reportedly interested in the former Ducks quarterback.
The Chargers have the number 17 pick in the first round of the draft and that means they will have to give up a decent package in a trade to move up. According to Pro Football Talk, Kevin Acee of Union-Tribune San Diego writes that the interest in Mariota from the Chargers is "serious" and that the team worked him out in Oregon this week and met with the quarterback.
The talk about Rivers has been simmering this offseason since he is coming into the final year of his contract and has not worked out an extension yet. Rivers said that he is comfortable playing out his contract, but that leaves his future in San Diego up in the air and that could lead to a trade. The Titans have the number two overall pick and with most draft experts seeing the Buccaneers taking Jameis Winston, they are the key to Mariota.
The Titans have a need at quarterback, but they could stick with Zach Mettenberger over making the trade or they could take Mariota themselves. The team has met with Mariota, but David Climer at the Tennessean writes that it's unlikely the Titans take a quarterback at number two. Climer writes that Leonard Williams is the likely pick if the team stays at the spot, but that there is a good chance they will trade the selection.
The Titans do not have a lot of talent on their roster and adding a player like Rivers and draft picks could help turn things around. The team has not had a legit franchise quarterback in years and while Rivers is a veteran and is already 33 years old, he has played at a high level and has not dealt with injuries in the past. Rivers also has a connection with head coach Ken Whisenhunt, as he was the offensive coordinator in San Diego during the 2013 season.
Rivers had one of his best career seasons that year and that could make his transition to the Titans much easier. Climer writes that the Titans have the cap space to absorb Rivers' contract and they could look at signing him to an extension after acquiring him or after the season if they make the deal. In the 2013 season Rivers had a career best 69 percent completion rate and he also had his second best totals in touchdown passes and interceptions that year with Whisenhunt.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported last month that the Chargers would want "multiple" first round picks to trade Rivers. The Chargers could consider a deal with only one first round pick for Rivers if they trade with the Titans, as the number two pick is obviously very valuable. According to Pro Football Talk, the Chargers are also working out Brett Hundley ahead of the draft and he could be plan B if the team misses out on Marcus Mariota and the trade with the Titans.
