On Wednesday Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco held what amounts to a "State Of The Chargers" meeting with the San Diego media. One of the big topics that came out of it was Philip Rivers is the team's quarterback.
For now.
Rivers was beaten to a pulp behind a substandard offensive line in 2014. For the first six weeks of the season he was the odds-on favorite to win the NFL MVP award. Then he suffered a few severely painful injuries to his abdomen and worked with a half dozen centers and nearly that many other offensive linemen.
Given his age (33, which is more like 40 in NFL QB years), there have been whispers that the Chargers should start to look for the next Chargers passer. Telesco understands the concerns, but is not concerned with Rivers' long-term health.
"I think he has a number of years left. I do," said Telesco. "He keeps himself in great condition. He's always prepared. He's still playing at a high level."
Of course, that doesn't mean Telesco is not looking at quarterbacks in this year's draft class. The long-term health of the franchise is in his hands, after all.
"Now, any time you have a star player that's in to his 30's, in my position, you always have your eye on, who's the next guy? But I feel good about where Philip is."
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Telesco also said the team will try to work to restructure Rivers' contract to make it more salary cap-friendly.
I think the main takeaway from this, at this moment, is a good one. Odds are we will not be seeing any situations like LaDainian Tomlinson in a Jets uniform.
"We're committed to make sure Philip retires as a Charger."
That's something most Chargers fans would like to see. We'd just like to see him do that while still in one piece.
