Philip Rivers Contract: Latest Comments and Rumors Surrounding Chargers QB

Heading into the final year of his contract, Philip Rivers was seen as one of the NFL's likeliest extension candidates this offseason. It appears Rivers is instead ready to make the Chargers sweat it out.

Continue for updates.

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Chargers GM, Coach Comment on Rivers 

Tuesday, March 24

Chris Wesseling of NFL.com reported more comments from head coach Mike McCoy on Rivers:

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Coach Mike McCoy was just as emphatic on Tuesday, telling 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. "He's under contract for this year, and we plan on Philip Rivers retiring a Charger."

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On March 23, McCoy also commented on Rivers, saying, "Philip is our franchise quarterback. We're very fortunate to have him. He's the leader of our organization. And we're looking forward to him having a great 2015 season."

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco spoke about how much the organization values Rivers, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com, "He's our guy. Like I've said before, we'd like to extend him. And when he's ready to do that, we'll get moving on it."

When asked about potentially trading Rivers, Telesco had a simple response: "It's not even on our radar."

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Rivers Not Planning to Sign Extension

Wednesday, March 18

Rivers told Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego that he plans on playing out the final year of his contract rather than signing an extension.

“What I can control and all I know as of today, I am signed up for one more year,” Rivers said. “I guess things could change, but with all the uncertainty in many aspects, I don’t see it changing before camp gets here, and when camp gets here I’m even more certain to play it out.”

Rivers, 33, is due to make $15.75 million in 2015 and will become a free agent after the season. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, however, pointed out the Chargers maintain leverage in the form of the franchise tag.

Rapoport added the Chargers have no intentions of letting Rivers go. 

Rivers has played all 11 of his NFL seasons in San Diego after being the fourth overall pick in 2004. He threw for 4,286 yards and 31 touchdowns against 18 interceptions in 2014, leading the Chargers to a 9-7 record. Football Outsiders' DVOA metric ranked him as the 10th-best quarterback in football, a ranking matched by Pro Football Focus data.

It'll be interesting to see how the Rivers situation plays out if they're unable to find a middle ground on an extension. While Rivers was among the NFL's best quarterbacks last season, he was more interception-prone and less effective than in 2013, when perhaps only Peyton Manning was better. Odds are this situation finishes with Rivers signing an extension, but we've seen crazier departures in recent seasons.

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