From fanball.com
September 30, 2005 11:00 AM ET
Chargers: Team can keep both Brees and Rivers
The News
Despite popular belief, the Chargers could in theory afford to keep both starter Drew Brees and backup Philip Rivers in the future. They are well under the salary cap, the bulk of Rivers' enormous contract has already been paid out, and if San Diego signs Brees to a long-term deal, they can spread his contract out over several seasons. "We don't have to do anything," general manager A.J. Smith told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I like having two [quarterbacks as] injury protection."
Our View
Of course Smith doesn't mind having two solid quarterbacks; the problem is how the two passers handle it. Assuming Brees navigates a brutally difficult schedule to maintain his hold on the job, it's unlikely that Rivers will be too eager to return to the team as a backup for the third straight season. As for Brees, he's still seeking that big contract and won't be too happy if he once again is slapped with the franchise tag. Smith's desire aside, this still looks like a messy situation that will have to be addressed at the end of this season.
