NFL Rumors: New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers Prepared To Replace Franchise Quarterbacks
Drew Brees signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2006, allowing Philip Rivers to become the San Diego—now Los Angeles—Chargers’ starting quarterback. For each of the last 14 years, the two players have been the Week 1 starter for those franchises.
There’s a chance both teams will have a new face under center to kick off the 2020 NFL season.
According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the Saints and Chargers are prepared to move on from their franchise quarterbacks.
New Orleans would welcome back Drew Brees for a 15th season as its signal caller. The 41-year-old is set to become a free agent. He’s indicated that he’ll either retire or return to the Saints.
If Brees calls it a career, New Orleans believes it is in good hands. Glazer has reported that head coach Sean Payton thinks Taysom Hill is ready to become the team’s next franchise quarterback.
Hill is third on New Orleans’ quarterback depth chart, and it was Teddy Bridgewater that started five games when Brees was sidelined with a thumb injury. Hill played every game in the 2019 season, being utilized as a passer (3-6 for 55 yards), rusher (27 carries for 155 yards) and receiver (19 catches for 234 yards).
The triple-threat quarterback threw a 50-yard pass, had two receptions for 25 yards and ran for 50 more yards in the Saints’ wild-card playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Bridgewater is no longer under contract with New Orleans. Hill is set to become a restricted free agent in March.
The situation is a little different in Los Angeles. Philip Rivers’ replacement is not on the roster, but the Chargers are reportedly ready to find their next quarterback.
Glazer said on “The Herd” Monday that Los Angeles has “moved on” from Rivers. The report came shortly after Rivers moved from his home in California to Florida.
While Brees was among the NFL’s best quarterbacks with a 116.3 passer rating in the regular season as the Saints went 13-3, Rivers looked to be in the twilight of his career. Rivers threw for 23 touchdowns, 20 interceptions and a mediocre 88.5 passer rating. The Chargers went 5-11, finishing well out of the playoffs.
There has been plenty of speculation that Tom Brady could leave the New England Patriots and sign with the Chargers. The six-time Super Bowl champion is set to become a free agent for the first time in his 20-year career.
Los Angeles could pursue Rivers’ replacement in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Chargers have the No.6 overall pick in the first round, which could see four quarterbacks selected.
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