NFL Rumors: Philip Rivers Staying With Chargers? Morgan Burnett Wants To Leave Steelers?

There are four teams left in the NFL playoffs, all getting ready to punch their tickets to the Super Bowl on conference championship Sunday. For the teams that are watching at home, retaining talent and reshaping rosters take priority.

The Los Angeles Chargers are trying to retain possibly their best player, according to an ESPN report on Thursday. Quarterback Philip Rivers is entering the final year of his contract, based on an extension he signed in 2015, and the Chargers reportedly want to talk to him about an extension this offseason.

General manager Tom Telesco previously said he wants Rivers to finish his career with the Chargers. Representatives for Rivers have not talked to the Chargers yet, but Telesco said on Thursday the team plans to have those conversations over the summer. The 37-year-old just had one of his best seasons ever, leading the Chargers to a 12-4 record and the divisional round of the playoffs.

On the opposite coast, the AFC’s most disappointing team is reportedly facing even more internal strife. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that Pittsburgh Steelers safety Morgan Burnett wants out of the Steel City.

Burnett signed a three-year deal in Pittsburgh last year after spending the previous eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Normally a strong safety, the Steelers played him more as a dime linebacker and he only started two games in 2018. The only other time he started fewer than 12 games in a season was his rookie year in 2010.

According to Rapoport, Burnett wants to play defensive back again. He is only 30 and has five seasons with 90 or more tackles in his career, so a team with holes in its defense could give him a look if the Steelers release him.

Burnett’s name is the latest to join what looks like an exodus out of Pittsburgh. Star wide receiver Antonio Brown has been the subject of trade talks for a few weeks now, with the latest rumors placing him with the San Francisco 49ers. In addition, star running back Le’Veon Bell sat out the entire season with a contract dispute and will likely depart in the offseason.