The San Diego Chargers could look at a Philip Rivers trade this offseason and the Tennessee Titans could be an option if the Chargers want to trade up to draft Marcus Mariota and this comes with just a week to go until the draft and teams like the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears are also interested in the former Oregon quarterback.
The Chargers have reportedly been interested in moving up to get Mariota and the team could consider moving their franchise quarterback to do it. According to Pro Football Talk, U-T San Diego reports that the Chargers are "serious" about their interest in Mariota and they worked him out last week. The Chargers pick at number 17 in the first round and they could trade up with the Titans, who have the number two overall pick.
Most draft experts see the Buccaneers taking Jameis Winston at the number one pick, which leaves the Titans to take Mariota, take Leonard Williams or trade the pick. The Jets, Browns and Bears all have reported interest in making a move, but the Chargers could be in the best position to do it. The Browns have two first round picks and that gives them a chance, but Rivers is a very good quarterback and the Titans could be swayed if they want to make a move.
When the Rivers trade news started coming out, it seemed like a wild idea, but looking a little deeper it makes some sense. Rivers is coming into the final year of his contract and it does not look like the two sides will agree on an extension before the summer. On top of that, Rivers has said that he is not really interested in moving to Los Angeles if the Chargers do that and this comes as their stadium plan got approval in LA.
While those issues do not mean Rivers will definitely be traded, it surely leaves his future up in the air heading into the season and the draft. The team could consider trading up without moving Rivers, but that would require some top picks, including first rounders, as they pick at number 17. The Chargers have been public about supporting Rivers, but GM Tom Telesco left the door open on a potential deal, saying the "plan and intent" is to keep the quarterback.
David Climer of the Tennesseean wrote a couple weeks ago that the Titans likely are not taking a quarterback if they stay at the pick. Williams could be the selection and the team also likely will consider a trade. Rivers could be an option, as the Titans have the cap space to take on his contract and he also has a connection to head coach Ken Whisenhunt, as he was the offensive coordinator in San Diego in 2013.
Rivers had a very strong season under Whisenhunt, setting the career high in completion percentage and putting up some of his best passing numbers. Rivers had 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions that season and Whisenhunt could make his transition to a new team easier. The Titans are close to Rivers' home town and he could consider a move if the team heads in that direction.
