Philip Rivers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers a perfect match
Philip Rivers is done with the Chargers and, as he hits NFL free agency, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feel like the perfect match between team and player.
Reports on Monday confirmed what many have speculated being the case for some time regarding veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that the Los Angeles Chargers are moving on from Rivers after 16 years with the franchise. Subsequently, Rivers will hit NFL free agency in what figures to be a wild, lucrative quarterback market.
Among the reasons why Rivers’ departure from the Chargers was assumed by many previously, though, is that he recently moved his family from San Diego to Florida. While the tax breaks there is likely one reason, another is the fact that the might be playing for an NFL team based in Florida for the 2020 season.
In that regard, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers almost make too much sense. And according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, there has been some buzz growing about Rivers potentially landing with Bruce Arians’ club:
Hearing a lot of buzz about Tampa as a possible landing spot for Philip Rivers. As reported back in late November, he and the Chargers were likely headed to a parting of the ways
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 20, 2020
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Beyond Rivers being available and recently moving to Florida though, the veteran quarterback seems to fit the bill of exactly what the Buccaneers should be looking for. It figures that the organization is ready to move on from former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston, fresh off the first 30-touchdown, 30-interceptions season in league history, given his wild inconsistency and lack of reliability as a result.
More than that, however, Rivers would seemingly be a perfect fit in Arians’ offense. Yes, Rivers has never been shy of turnovers but he also doesn’t have the troublesome track record to the degree that Winston does. And when you put him a downfield passing offense with weapons like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, he’s proven that he can lead a team to success.
The other options for the Buccaneers should they choose to move on from Winston would be to either draft a quarterback early and rush him into the fold, let a rookie sit behind Winston on the franchise tag or go after another veteran. All of those options, however, are inferior to the idea of bringing in a veteran hand like Rivers that can maximize the talent on the roster now.
Tampa Bay could just as easily sign Rivers in free agency and still draft a quarterback while letting the 16-year veteran help guide and groom him as opposed to Winston. All the while, Rivers gives the Bucs an opportunity to win while Arians is still around — which will not be a given for long given that he came out of retirement to take this job for his good friend, general manager Jason Licht.
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All told, there is no better fit for the Buccaneers and an answer to their questions at quarterback than Philip Rivers. He’s now local, he has the tools to succeed under Arians and with these weapons around him, and he now needs a new gig. Tampa Bay would be whiffing if they don’t make this happen.