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Los Angeles Chargers: Philip Rivers Is Officially Out of Excuses

By Erik Lambert

Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Teams that move tend to struggle during their debut seasons, but the Los Angeles Chargers are doing everything in their power to buck that trend.

Their primary mode of operation for that? Build like mad around veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. Rather than invest a top pick in his eventual heir apparent, which they could’ve, they decided to go the other way instead. The majority of their most valuable draft selections were used on key offensive pieces who can help maximize what Rivers has left.

Wide receiver Mike Williams brings genuine #1 ability to the wide receiver position where he’ll join Travis Benjamin, Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry. Better still they spent their next two picks on guards Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney. Two young man who are good enough to start right away if given the opportunity. Their protection would be ideal for the immobile quarterback.

Rivers himself admitted to fans and the Los Angeles Times that he sees the picture clearly enough. At this point it has to be championship or bust.

"“This draft tells — it wasn’t about telling me — but I think it tells our team, which is something we already believe. And I think it tells the fans, ‘Hey, we think we’ve got a chance to compete for a championship right now,’ ” Rivers told a room of Chargers fans Saturday via the Los Angeles Times. “I know the guys in the locker room believe that. I think these pieces we’ve added can help us get that.”"

Obstacles remain the same

Even with this newfound support staff, Rivers can’t change one stark reality about his situation. He still resides in the deepest, most difficult division in the NFL. The Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos are all recent playoff participants and showing no signs of going away. The Chargers know their question to finally wade through the AFC to the promised land can’t become a reality until they get by the four teams who know them best.

They’ve made it clear that they’re going to fly or fall with Rivers.

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