Chargers might look for Rivers’ successor
Loaded QB class is very tempting
For any NFL team with a star quarterback of a certain age, the draft is an annual chance to anoint a successor. The Los Angeles Chargers have had the same starting quarterback in every game since 2006, and Philip Rivers will turn 37 years old in the fall.
Already one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, Rivers said last week he is nowhere near retirement and intends to play “a handful more years.”
That hasn’t stopped many from wondering whether general manager Tom Telesco will decide that this is the year to grab his next quarterback when he makes the 17th overall pick.
After winning nine of their final 12 games and barely missing the playoffs in 2017, the Chargers have a solid roster with few obvious weak spots.
The time might be right for a move toward the future behind center, but Telesco isn’t sure. “That’s a question we’ll get every year until we draft a quarterback.”
Local product Josh Rosen and Heisman Trophy winners Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield are conceivable possibilities.
“The great thing right now is that we’re very happy with Philip. He’s our quarterback, hands down, rest assured, for this year and hopefully beyond. But we always have to have an eye on the future. That’s part of our job.”
Telesco said the crop of quarterbacks in this draft is “a deep class, not only in the first round, but some other rounds as well.”
Raiders
Jon Gruden yelled out instructions, called out plays and ran an NFL practice for the first time since leaving coaching nearly a decade ago in Tampa Bay. This was the day Gruden had been waiting for since he was hired for a second stint as Oakland’s coach. “The practice field has always been a laboratory for a coach,” Gruden said. “That’s where we earn our pay. We have to develop this team. We have to learn a lot about them quickly. It was fun to be out there. I don’t want to be too deep or philosophical or I might start crying.”
Patriots
Tight end Rob Gronkowski said he is returning for his ninth NFL season. Gronkowski said he met with coach Bill Belichick to inform him of his intention to return, adding he’s “been working out, staying in shape and feels great.”
Vikings
Running back Dalvin Cook, his promising rookie season cut painfully short at four games because of a torn ACL in his left knee, has passed the six-month mark in his rehabilitation and remains on track for full action when training camp begins. “Dalvin’s knocked the rehab out of the park,” head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman said. “He’s done a great job. He’s been here every day post-surgery.”
Rams
Los Angeles picked up its fifth-year contract option on running back Todd Gurley. The Rams announced their easiest decision of the offseason. Gurley led the NFL in all-purpose yards as the league’s offensive player of the year in 2017, thriving in new coach Sean McVay’s offense. He rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns while catching 64 passes for 788 yards and six more scores.