The San Diego Chargers are starting up offseason workouts and Melvin Gordon comes in looking to start over Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Donald Brown as a rookie, while Philip Rivers is ready after trade speculation and said he would be open to an extension and this comes as safety Eric Weddle may pull a contract holdout for training camp this year.
The Chargers were mentioned in numerous trade rumors this offseason, but the team did not get close to moving Rivers. The team was reportedly interested in Marcus Mariota, but the Titans wanted too much for the number two draft pick and the Chargers were not willing to give up Rivers easily. Rivers is coming into the final year of his contract and reports this offseason had the quarterback willing to play out his deal and not wanting to move to Los Angeles if the team relocates.
According to Pro Football Talk, Rivers said that he was comfortable heading into the final year of his contract and that he was "open" to signing an extension. Michael Gehlken on Twitter reports that Rivers said it would be "awesome" to finish his career in San Diego, but right now there is no movement on a contract extension. Eli Manning is also coming into the final year of his deal and this comes after Ben Roethlisberger signed a new extension. All three QBs are from the same draft class.
Rivers comes in after having another strong season and after the rumblings about the trade, it looks like Rivers is hoping to remain in San Diego. Rivers comes in after passing for 31 touchdowns last season with 4286 yards and he completed 66 percent of his passes. Rivers has thrown for over 60 touchdowns in the past two seasons and he is expecting another big year.
Rivers is getting some new weapons on offense with Cecil Shorts and Melvin Gordon coming in and Gordon is going to push to start as a rookie. The Chargers traded up for Gordon and he comes out of college after putting up 2500 rushing yards last season. Gordon is likely going to be the lead back over Branden Oliver, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown, as he is a better up the middle runner than those backs.
Gordon is not much of a receiver out of the backfield and that is why he likely will be the lead back. Woodhead and Brown are better receivers, as Gordon had just 22 catches at Wisconsin, but they are not better natural runners and that makes this group a versatile and deep one for the Chargers. Gordon is a solid pass blocker, but he likely will be used on early downs to start things off.
According to ESPN.com, Eric Weddle is staying away from offseason activities, as he wants a new contract for this season. Weddle has been one of the best safeties in the league during his career and UT San Diego reports that Weddle does not plan on coming to training camp unless he gets a new deal.
