A four-year contract extension announced Saturday night will keep quarterback Philip Rivers with the Chargers through 2019.
The news was first reported by Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego and then quickly confirmed by the Chargers. The extension was done after a summer of posturing by both sides and rumors that talks would be shelved with the regular season approaching.
Don’t believe everything you hear. Or something.
Acee reported the deal is worth $84 million and $65 million guaranteed. Had the sides not worked out a deal, the exclusive franchise tag for 2016 would have been around $25 million, so it was in the team’s interests to get this deal done now for many reasons.
In addition to a bunch more guaranteed money, the extension gives Rivers, 33, peace of mind and gives the team at least some level of stability with rumors of a move to Los Angeles still swirling.
Rivers posted his fourth career 30-touchdown season in 2014 and went over 4,000 yards passing for the sixth time. He’s started 144 straight games for the Chargers.
