Philip Rivers a Las Vegas Raider?
Philip Rivers would be a perfect fit with the Las Vegas Raiders. (Photo:©Brian Vilven/BCSportsConnect)
I know the majority of you believe I am still sipping on the leftover champagne from New Year’s Eve, but Philip Rivers signing a free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders is not such a crazy notion. If you look closely at the situations in which both the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders find themselves, this potential free agent signing could become a reality.
Rivers is at a Crossroads in His Career
Philip Rivers has made 224 starts in his 16-year career with the Chargers, but the odds are high that he will be playing elsewhere in 2020. Any NFL franchise looking for an upgrade at the quarterback position would be foolish not to consider Rivers as a short-term solution to their problems under center.
Here are some of his accomplishments over the span of his career:
• 123-101 record
• 59,271 passing yards
• 397 touchdowns (198 interceptions)
• Led the Chargers to four double-digit winning seasons
• 11 seasons with 4,000 or more passing yards
Rivers’ career resume has the look of a future Hall-of-Famer, not some journeyman quarterback hoping to latch onto a training camp roster. Plus, any team thinking of signing Rivers to a contract understands that they will also be gaining a leading voice in the locker room.
As the Spanos family likely shows Rivers the door, a look back at the 2019 season reveals a Chargers roster with too much talent to be as inconsistent as their 5-11 record. The disappointing season ended in a typical fashion as a late comeback attempt fell short in the final moments. Yes, injuries were a factor, but the Chargers were primed to be a serious Super Bowl contender this season. Instead, the wheels came off their ride well before Thanksgiving. Fair or not, Rivers received much of the blame for an underachieving team.
Why Rivers and the Raiders are the Perfect Marriage
The trouble with the Raiders begins and ends with the relationship between Derek Carr and Jon Gruden. Neither party is happy with their current situation and you can see the dissatisfaction from both sides growing with each frustrating loss. In a perfect world, Gruden would cut ties with Carr, and welcome in a new signal-caller. Philip Rivers offers the style, attitude, and play Gruden loves to see from his quarterback and team leader.
Personally, I hope Rivers continues his NFL career and plays for the Raiders next season. This move makes a lot of sense for both sides. For one, it allows Rivers to play his home games inside a dome, where suddenly, in a controlled environment, his declining arm strength is less of an issue.
The Raiders already have some intriguing offensive pieces in place on their roster. Running back Josh Jacobs and tight end Darren Waller had outstanding first seasons in the Silver and Black. Add Rivers to that mix and you have an impressive trio that has the potential to put points on the scoreboard in bunches next season. That is a formula that has worked well in the past with Rivers at the controls. And with Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow under contract, the Raiders’ offensive pieces would entice any potential free agent, especially a quarterback.
For most San Diegans, Philip Rivers is the last link to the Chargers. Once he leaves the fold, any remaining interest in the franchise will wane even further. Soon, the Powder Blues will be a distant memory, and that is a sad thought for all. If Rivers does sign a free agent contract with the Raiders, his Super Bowl window will be open for at least another year.