The San Diego Chargers have been deliberate in free agency this offseason and after signing Stevie Johnson to a contract, the team could look at some other names on the market, including Hakeem Nicks, Ahmad Bradshaw or Steven Jackson and this comes as the team could consider making a move for Marcus Mariota or another quarterback in the draft to help replace Philip Rivers in the future.
The Chargers are coming into the offseason after just missing the playoffs last year and they have added a number of new players in free agency. According to ESPN.com, the team signed Johnson to a deal after he nearly went to the Patriots and this comes after the team lost Eddie Royal in free agency. The team also signed Jacoby Jones, Jimmy Wilson and Orlando Franklin on the market and that adds strength to areas of need.
The Chargers have Rivers coming into the final year of his deal and with Ben Roethlisberger getting an extension, the QBs of the 2004 class will be under the scope this season. Rivers said to the Union-Tribune San Diego that he has no problem playing out the final year of his contract and that he will not worry about what happens after next season. Chargers GM Tom Telesco was asked about Rivers and about the possibility of a trade and while declined to say that he wouldn't be traded, he put his support behind Rivers.
The Union-Tribune San Diego has reported that the Chargers could be interested in moving up to take Marcus Mariota and if that happens, he could be the heir apparent to Rivers. There is a chance that fi that happened Rivers would be traded, but right now that's unlikely. Rivers bounced back in 2013 after having a down season in 2012 and he had another strong year in 2014 for the Chargers. Rivers threw for 4286 yards and 31 touchdowns last season and that came after he threw for 32 in 2013. Rivers has also been above 66 percent in completion percentage over the past two years.
Reporter Kevin Acee writes that there is speculation about Mariota and that the team is "serious about acquiring" the QB or at least looking into it. Mariota put up some great stats in college at Oregon and teams like the Titans, Browns, Jets and Eagles all have reportedly been interested in trying to draft him. Mariota could be a great fit for Mike McCoy, as he is an offensive minded coach and the team has the personnel to make it work.
The Chargers added Johnson and Jones this offseason and there is a chance they could add more at the position. Michael Crabtree has been mentioned as a target, according to Pro Football Talk, while Greg Jennings or Wes Welker could be cheap options on the market. Ahmad Bradshaw and Steven Jackson also could be fits, as the team lost Ryan Mathews in free agency and they could look at adding another back. The team has Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown, but both players dealt with injuries last season.
