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Chargers: Seven possible quarterback scenarios in 2020

By Alexander Insdorf

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Chargers have an unfilled hole at quarterback for the first time in what seems like forever. While it’s possible Philip Rivers will be back, it’s far from guaranteed. Here are some other quarterback options.

A world without Philip Rivers seems almost preposterous to think about. But it’s the world the Chargers are on the verge of having. With Rivers a free agent and both free agency and the draft just a short time away, there’s plenty of options, from Tom Brady to Teddy Bridgewater, to take over as the starter in 2020. Here are seven potential possibilities for the Chargers in 2020.

1. Philip Rivers

Even with all the speculation, Rivers probably is still the likeliest scenario at quarterback in 2020. Despite a 2019 season where he declined, he is still the leader of the franchise and it’s hard to walk away from that. Plus, with a full season of new offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, it’s possible to imagine a season where Rivers has a bounce-back year as he did in 2013.

The real issue with Rivers is the turnovers. He was third in the league in interceptions thrown with 20, just behind Baker Mayfield and Jameis Winston. We’ve seen Rivers turn it around from season to season when it comes to interceptions though, both in 2013 and 2017. However, a fair question to ask with Rivers going on 39 years old is if it will change, or whether the decline could be more precipitous.

The main question if Rivers is assumed back as the starter in 2020 is how it will be done. The 2020 NFL Draft is just three months away, and the Chargers have the sixth pick if they want to grab a quarterback.

While Joe Burrow may be out of reach with the Cincinnati Bengals at No.1, draft prospects like Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jake Fromm could be within the Chargers’ reach. Jordan Love is another name to watch later in the draft, along with Jacob Eason. Any of these quarterbacks could be behind Rivers as the heir to the quarterback position in 2020.

It’s also possible that the Chargers wait until 2021 for their quarterback. Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields reign as the kings of that class. Whether it’s in 2020 or 2021, the future is coming, but Rivers could still be the one to hand off the baton.

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