Late Saturday evening, the San Diego Chargers agree to an extension with quarterback Philip Rivers worth $84 million, for four years with $65 million guaranteed. The 12 year veteran was in the final year of his existing contract, where he was scheduled to receive $15.75 million in base salary.
Rivers has spent his entire career with the Chargers after a draft-day trade with the New York Giants in 2004 for Eli Manning. In 2014, he completed 66.5 percent of his passes, with 31 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
There was no question that the Chargers wanted to keep their franchise quarterback, taking to Twitter to announce the agreement.
ICYMI: We have agreed to terms with Philip Rivers on a four-year contract extension through 2019. pic.twitter.com/p4otw2RtAf
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 16, 2015
As to whether or not Rivers would sign an extension with the Chargers, it was hard to say with rumors of a move to a location in Carson. Rivers was adamant in his unwillingness to leaving the San Diego area, not wanting to drag his seven children up the interstate every Sunday. However, it is apparent that something or someone convinced him to make the deal. The contract extension has tied his future to the team for the next five years and he will be 37 years of age when it expires.
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco expressed his desire for Rivers to end his career as a Charger. The agreement makes Rivers the only active quarterback with the highest amount of guaranteed money. Rivers believes that he is among the elite quarterbacks and should be paid as such. The Chargers good-faith signing proves their confidence in their signal caller.
Rivers career was somehow rejuvenated in 2013 and he has since taken command of the offense, leading the Chargers to four postseason wins, most by any quarterback in franchise history. He has played in five Pro Bowls and remains one of the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL today.
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