General manager Tom Telesco emphasized after the 2014 season that the Chargers would "definitely" work on a new deal for Philip Rivers with the intention of keeping the franchise quarterback in San Diego for the rest of his career.
Rivers, on the other hand, plans to play out his 2015 contract season to maintain some semblance of control with a franchise relocation to Los Angeles perhaps in the offing.
"What I can control and all I know as of today, I am signed up for one more year," Rivers said, via Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego. "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."
Asked if he envisioned any circumstances causing him to change his stance on a long-term extension, Rivers replied, "Honestly, nothing."
Rivers hasn't ruled out playing in Los Angeles, but he conceded a potential move is "part of" his thinking. There are cities that are more appealing to Rivers and his Southern roots, per Acee.
There have been no contract discussions between the Chargers and Rivers, Acee added, amid "brewing speculation" in league circles that the team could be serious about acquiring Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
When pressed by Acee, Telesco declined to outright deny any possibility of a Rivers trade.
"I don't like Philip as our QB, I love him," Telesco texted. "And I'll go to war with him."
It should be noted that Telesco has the option of the franchise tag to keep Rivers in San Diego next season.
On the off chance that the Chargers do consider trading one of the top six quarterbacks in the game, it's natural to connect the dots to Nashville as a Southern city with a club that holds the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and a chance to land Mariota. The Titans are also coached by Ken Whisenhunt, the play-caller who helped Rivers capture the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2013.
At this point, it's premature to suggest Telesco would part with the face of his franchise. After one of the wildestweeks in NFL offseason history, though, a Rivers trade would no longer qualify as a shocking turn of events.
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