Philip Rivers Rumors: Surprising Dark-Horse Suitor Interested in Free-Agent QB

An unexpected team has reportedly shown interest in veteran quarterback Philip Rivers prior to the start of NFL free agency.

Appearing on FS1's The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Wednesday, Fox Sports' Peter Schrager said he has heard there is a "crazy dark horse" in the mix to sign Rivers.

Rivers, 38, spent his first 16 NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers franchise after the organization acquired him in a draft-day trade with the New York Giants in 2004 for Eli Manning and additional picks. However, the Chargers announced last month they would not re-sign the franchise leader in passing yardage and passing touchdowns.

The potential future Hall of Famer is sixth in NFL history in both passing yardage (59,271) and passing touchdowns (397), but he is coming off a down year with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 23-20 as the Chargers went 5-11.

However, Rivers has a highly impressive resume with eight Pro Bowl appearances, and he is as durable as they come, having started every game since 2006.

The veteran signal-caller could be a quality fit with any number of teams. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported last month that the Indianapolis Colts are considered the most likely team to sign him:

Jacoby Brissett had an up-and-down year in 2019 as the Colts' starter after Andrew Luck's sudden retirement, so the team could look to upgrade and take advantage of a playoff-caliber roster.

Rivers' signing with Indy wouldn't be a surprise, though, so it's unlikely Schrager was referencing the Colts.

Other teams known or assumed to possibly be in the market for a quarterback include the New England Patriots (if Tom Brady signs elsewhere), Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals (who will likely take Joe Burrow No. 1 overall in the draft), Tennessee Titans (if Ryan Tannehill signs elsewhere), Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Of the teams not mentioned, could the Cleveland Browns be looking to bring in competition for Baker Mayfield after a rough 2019 season? Could the Denver Broncos look to give Drew Lock another year to learn behind a former division rival? Could the Dallas Cowboys be preparing for possible life without Dak Prescott? Could the Carolina Panthers look to make room for Rivers by moving Cam Newton?

There is no telling what Schrager has heard, but with so many big-name quarterbacks potentially on the move this offseason, the NFL landscape could change significantly entering the 2020 campaign.