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Chargers considering trading Phillip Rivers to Tennessee after Marcus Mariota workout

By Josh Criswell

Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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It is no secret that the San Diego Chargers have been impressed with Marcus Mariota, and are reportedly looking into trading Phillip Rivers for a chance to draft the quarterback  with Tennessee’s No. 2 pick in the draft.

Ever since rumors of the San Diego Chargers‘ potential move to Los Angeles emerged, coinciding rumors have surfaced regarding Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers leaving the team. As a result, the Chargers could be forced to look for a quarterback in the draft, and the team is reportedly very high on Oregon product and Heisman winner Marcus Mariota. A recent private workout from Mariota was so impressive that the team could be in the market to make a drastic move to grab him at the top of the draft.

Rivers is a free agent at the end of the season, and he is clearly not happy with the possibility of the team relocating, even if it is just three hours north to Los Angeles. While he loves San Diego and does not want to move his family, which has called the city home for the past 12 years, he is definitely not ruling out the possibility of moving elsewhere.

"“What we’ve established here with my growing family is hard to recreate,” Rivers told U-T San Diego.“I know that moves are part of life, but it certainly is fair to say that (not being sold on moving to Los Angeles) is part of it. The good thing is I’m not under contract in a year where we’d potentially be in Los Angeles.”"

Rivers’ comments are definitely worrisome for the Chargers front office, especially after the quarterback refused to sign a contract extension, opting to play out his contract season this year.

Apparently the organization is so worried about losing their franchise quarterback that they are looking into the possibility of dealing the five-time Pro Bowler for a top pick in this year’s NFL Draft, with Mariota being the top prospect on their mind.

With the most coveted quarterback in the draft, Jameis Winston, being all but a lock to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the first pick, Mariota is easily the top quarterback that will be available. The Tennessee Titans own the No. 2 pick, and could be looking to trade down after an impressive rookie season from 2014 draftee Zach Mettenberger has given the team hopes of a potential quarterback of the future.

This makes Tennessee a very interesting, and very possible trade partner for the Chargers. If San Diego were to pull the trigger on the blockbuster move, it could be a catastrophic mistake for the organization. Mariota has huge upside and game-changing athleticism, but his lack of experience running a pro-style offense and struggles reading defenses make him nowhere close to an NFL-ready quarterback worthy of the No. 2 pick.

Tennessee, meanwhile, would be huge winners in this trade. Not only do they gain a perennial Pro Bowler in Rivers, but they give their promising young quarterback in Mettenberger a proven veteran to develop under.

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