Chargers: Seven possible quarterback scenarios in 2020

Chargers 2020 quarterback possibilities: Tyrod Taylor and Marcus Mariota

2. Tyrod Taylor

The answer may be another quarterback on the Chargers’ roster. The Chargers signed Tyrod Taylor to a two year deal last offseason, and he is one of the most competent backups in the league.

He was an impressive starter for the Buffalo Bills back in 2017 before being brought in as a stop-gap to Mayfield in Cleveland in 2018. If the Chargers need a quarterback in 2020 and aren’t thrilled with the free-agent names or the draft, Taylor is a suitable starter.

Taylor provides something that Rivers doesn’t with his athleticism. His running ability as well as his ability to scramble in the pocket to evade pressure could be valuable to a team that’s still working on building its offensive line.

He can be viewed as one of two things depending on what the Chargers do in the offseason– either the outright starter or, a stop-gap for a rookie quarterback. The latter is likelier, but should he get a chance to start, he’d get a chance to prove himself.

3. Marcus Mariota

It’s clear right now, especially with the emergence of Ryan Tannehill, that Marcus Mariota isn’t in the future plans for the Tennessee Titans. With free agency looming for Mariota, is it possible the Chargers take on a potential redemption project with him as a starter?

This feels like one of the less likely options out of all of these, as it feels hard to believe Mariota will get a starting gig immediately. But, there could very well be a team willing to take a chance.

Mariota was a great quarterback in 2016, but his numbers have been in free fall ever since. In the last three years, he’s thrown 31 touchdowns and 25 interceptions combined. With the pressure on the Chargers this year to win after a disappointing 2019, they just don’t seem like a team that can take on the project of rebuilding Mariota’s career while being in win now mode.