For the first time in 14 years, the Los Angeles Chargers will be looking for a new quarterback. It was reported they are planning to move on from Philip Rivers. With the team making the move into a new stadium, it could also be a new-look Chargers offense next season. As oddly as it may sound, this is the perfect time for the Chargers to be in the hunt for a new quarterback. With a few key free agents set to hit the market and some very intriguing prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, things may get very interesting for the Chargers over the off-season. Let’s take a look at the 2020 quarterback options for the Los Angeles Chargers.
2020 Los Angeles Chargers Quarterback Options
Option 1 – Draft One Using the Sixth-Overall Pick
The Chargers currently hold the number-six pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and it’s very likely that they will draft a quarterback with that pick. With Rivers being on his way out the door, drafting a quarterback makes the most sense. With a very top-heavy quarterback class, the Chargers are in prime position to select one of the top three quarterbacks available. After winning Senior Bowl MVP, it seems as if the organization has its eyes on Justin Herbert. However, there is a possibility of trading up to third overall for Tua Tagovailoa. Personally, I don’t think the Dolphins are going to let Tua slip away from them so it seems the most realistic pick is Herbert.
Option 2 – Sign One in Upcoming Free Agency
There are quite a few talented quarterbacks set to hit the free-agent market this offseason. The top two quarterbacks that teams will be after will be Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater. Brady signing with the Chargers makes sense from a personnel standpoint. They have weapons on offense that Brady would enjoy playing with but the offensive line is still in question.
Reports have surfaced that the New England Patriots are willing to pay Brady 30 million dollars to retain him. For that price, we can almost be sure Brady will be staying put in New England. The move that would be a win-win for both parties is Bridgewater signing with the Chargers. In his five-games as a starter this season he proved that he can still play quarterback at a high level in this league. Also, bringing in a veteran like Teddy means that he can help groom a young signal-caller, assuming they draft a quarterback with the sixth pick.
Option 3 – Retain Rivers as the Starter
Rivers clearly declined in 2019 and it became more evident as the season went on. He looks to have lost the velocity he once had on his throws, and his poor decision-making constantly put the team in bad situations. Yes, it was reported the Chargers were moving on from Rivers but there have been rumors that they could think about going the franchise tag route. Conversation between the two parties about the franchise tag hasn’t been discussed but it’s certainly still in play. At this point in his career, I don’t see a team bringing back Rivers to be the starting quarterback. Bringing Rivers back means that he would have to be fine with the team drafting his successor.
Final Analysis
If I were the man in charge during this time for the Los Angeles Chargers, I would reach out to Bridgewater about a new deal to come play in LA. I would draft a quarterback with the sixth pick or trade up to find my signal-caller for the future. Sit the young quarterback and let him learn under a veteran player until he’s ready to play.
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