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A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 11 February 2020
Chargers QB Rivers will enter free agency after 16 seasons

By JOE REEDY imperfect world where the
AP Sports Writer only constant is change,"
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Telesco said. "I think Philip's
Philip Rivers' 16-year career tremendous perspective,
with the Chargers has both when it comes to
come to an end. football and when it comes
The franchise announced to life, helped lend clarity to
Monday that Rivers will a very complex situation."
enter free agency and The Chargers have plenty
won't return to Los Angeles of questions that need to
for the upcoming season. be answered during the
General manager Tom offseason as they prepare
Telesco said in a statement to move into SoFi Stadium
that as they talked through in Inglewood. They have
various scenarios with the sixth pick in the draft
Rivers, it became apparent in what looks to be a
it would be best for both "to deep quarterback class
turn the page on what has that includes LSU's Joe
truly been a remarkable Burrow, Alabama's Tua
run." Tagovailoa and Oregon's
Rivers' future in powder Justin Herbert. The Rivers
blue was the main announcement comes
storyline late in the season two weeks before the NFL
after the Chargers were In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers stands for the scouting combine begins
eliminated from postseason national anthem before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. in Indianapolis.
Associated Press
consideration. He said Los Angeles also has
during the final weeks that biggest in franchise history. you do it with that make it franchise records with quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor
he intended to play in 2020, Rivers' 4,615 passing yards special. There are so many the Chargers and was an and Easton Stick under
even if that meant going to were fourth in the league, relationships and memories eight-time selection to the contract. Taylor will be
another team. but his 20 interceptions with coaches, support staff Pro Bowl. He also led the entering his 10th season
The 38-year old Rivers were third most and just and teammates that will Chargers to the playoffs six and has 46 starts with
was emotional and in a one off tying a career high. last forever, and for that times but only twice since Buffalo and Cleveland.
reflective mood after the Rivers moved his family I am so thankful. We had 2010. Stick was selected in the
Chargers' 31-21 loss to to Florida last month a lot of great moments, His 224 consecutive regular- fifth round last season.
Kansas City in the season from their longtime beginning in San Diego season starts are second- Besides Rivers, the
finale. He acknowledged home in San Diego. He and then finishing in LA. I most among quarterbacks Chargers' other top free
it would be weird to be in commuted between the wish my teammates and in NFL history and his 123 agents include running
another uniform but didn't team's Orange County coaches nothing but the wins are ninth. He is one of back Melvin Gordon, tight
think it would be much of headquarters and San best moving forward." six quarterbacks to eclipse end Hunter Henry, safety
an adjustment. Diego since the franchise Rivers was selected fourth 50,000 career yards and his Adrian Phillips and fullback
Los Angeles made the moved in 2017. overall by the New York 397 touchdowns are sixth. Derek Watt. Running back
playoffs in 2018 but was "I am very grateful to the Giants in the 2004 draft but "I've said before that Philip Austin Ekeler is a restricted
5-11 this season with nine Spanos family and the was traded to the Chargers can still compete at a free agent. Telesco said
losses by one score. The Chargers organization for in a draft day deal for Eli top-starter level and, in a last month that he expects
seven-win decline was the the last 16 years," Rivers said Manning, who announced perfect world, number 17 is to have some salary cap
worst dropoff in the league in a statement. "In anything his retirement last month. your quarterback forever. flexibility when free agency
in 2019 and the second you do, it's the people Rivers went on to set 30 Obviously, we live in an begins March 18.q

AP Source: Browns star Garrett meets with NFL about return

By TOM WITHERS condition of anonymity The No. 1 overall pick in
AP Sports Writer because of the sensitivity 2017, Garrett has had an
CLEVELAND (AP) — Sus- of the meeting. exemplary record since
pended Browns star de- There is no timetable for joining the league, and his
fensive end Myles Gar- Garrett’s return. However, actions toward Rudolph
rett met Monday with he has expressed remorse were uncharacteristic. He
NFL Commissioner Roger for his conduct, and his appealed his suspension,
Goodell to discuss his pos- meeting with Goodell was but it was upheld by in-
sible reinstatement, a per- a necessary step in order dependent officer James
son familiar with the meet- to get back on the field in Thrash despite Garrett’s
ing told The Associated 2020. allegation that Rudolph
Press. Once Garrett is cleared, used a racial slur.
Garrett, who was banned he’ll be able to take part in Garrett’s attack on Ru-
indefinitely for ripping off In this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns defensive the Browns’ offseason pro- dolph came after the two
Pittsburgh Steelers quar- end Myles Garrett (95) hits Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback gram under new coach wrestled on the field as the
terback Mason Rudolph’s Mason Rudolph (2) with a helmet during the second half of an Kevin Stefanski. Garrett Browns were closing out
helmet and hitting him NFL football game in Cleveland. was allowed back at the a rare win over their AFC
over the head with it dur- Associated Press Browns’ facility toward the North rival, and it touched
ing the closing seconds cussed his situation with officials in New York, said end of the season to re- off a brawl involving sev-
of a Nov. 15 game, dis- Goodell and other league the person who spoke on hab an injury. eral other players.q