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Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; A helmet from a San Diego Chargers player in a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers won 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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Chargers should consider quarterback early in NFL Draft

Matt Verderame NFL

The Los Angeles Chargers are trying to win a Super Bowl. Now.

With star quarterback Philip Rivers aging some, the Chargers and general manager Tom Telesco are feeling the heat. Last season, it appeared everything was falling into place. The rookie class was headlined by Pro Bowl safety Derwin James, and the roster remains relatively healthy into the latter months. In December, the Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a wild affair at Arrowhead Stadium, pulling even in the AFC West.

Then, suddenly, it came crashing down. Los Angeles finished 12-4 but was blown out in the Divisional round by the New England Patriots.

Coming into the offseason, the only major loss on the roster was wide receiver Tyrell Williams, who departed for a four-year, $44 million deal with the Oakland Raiders. The rest of the team remained virtually the same, leading many to believe the Chargers will once again challenge for AFC supremacy.

In that vein, it’s a terrible time to spend a high draft pick on a quarterback. At the same time, Rivers is turning 38 years old this season, and Father Time waits for no man.

Los Angeles holds the No. 28 overall selection in next week’s draft. Taking a signal caller at that spot would be foolish considering needs on the defensive line — in a loaded defensive class — but once the second day arrives, there are some names to throw around. Will Grier of West Virginia and Jarrett Stidham of Auburn are both worthy players for such a selection, men who can sit and learn behind Rivers for the next few years. If one of them becomes the quarterback of the future, a talented, young roster is set for a decade. If not, the Chargers can continue their search without having wasted a first-round choice.

There’s never a great time for a contending team to take a future asset, but the Chargers can’t afford to dismiss this looming issue. The Chiefs showcased the right way to go about this, drafting Patrick Mahomes when Alex Smith had two years left on his deal — as Rivers does now. Smith ended up guiding Kansas City to a division title and then was dealt to the Washington Redskins for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick. While trading Rivers would be highly unlikely, at least there’s stability through the depth chart at the league’s most important position.

If Los Angeles finds itself with a quarterback ranked highly on its board in the second or third round, it’s time to take that card and turn it in.

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