The San Diego Chargers are singing a far different tune about Philip Rivers, now that they have looked have into making music with Marcus Mariota.
Multiple media outlets have reported that the Chargers have worked out Mariota, the Oregon Ducks quarterback, even though they have only the No. 17 pick in the NFL Draft, which everyone agrees will be too late to land the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
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Which makes the Chargers' time with Mariota more intriguing.
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Deadspin.com reported:
"So far, all the rumors have been trafficking in the currency of plausibility, but even in the NFL's silly season, there's not a step here that's illogical:
1. The Chargers, who haven't met a hump they could get over, need to rebuild. That would start with getting a QB who's not 33 years old.
2. If Rivers intends to leave after this season, to retirement or to free agency, the Chargers would be foolish not to get value for him now rather than let him walk for nothing.
3. The Chargers select No. 17 in this month's draft; way too late, by all projections, to get Mariota. If they're scouting Mariota this hard, it's more than just due diligence.
4. The Titans, picking at No. 2, have done nothing to publicly discourage other teams from believing they're willing to trade their pick. They may still use it, but they're definitely listening to offers.
So, the not-at-all-crazy argument goes like this: the Chargers would package Rivers and a suite of picks for the (Tennessee) Titans second-overall spot, take Mariota, and rebuild around him."
But wait - the San Diego Union-Tribune seems to think that the Titans won't ask for a bevy of picks in a Rivers deals.
"Yes, the Chargers in all likelihood would keep their first round pick should they deal Rivers to Tennessee. They may, according to some around the league, have to throw in a selection in a later round. But people are really just speculating, since there is no precedent for trading a quarterback of Rivers' stature at this juncture in his career for a draft pick(s)."
Rivers opened up this can of worms when he said he intended to play out the final year of his contract, rather than sign an extension with San Diego. After his position, the Chargers remained adamant that they wanted Rivers as their quarterback.
NFL.com reported last month that Chargers coach Mike McCoy told reporters that Rivers is "one of the best in the business."
"The only thing I'm worried about is this next season. We can't worry about 2016 and beyond," McCoy added to NFL Media's Tiffany Blackmon. "He's under contract for this year, and we plan on Philip Rivers retiring a Charger."
Sometimes, plans change.
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