Many Winners from Rivers’ New Deal

Philip Rivers cashed in with a massive contract on Saturday, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $83.25 million extension. The deal includes $65 million in guarantees, giving Rivers the highest guaranteed money of any player under a current contract.

The deal was coup for the Chargers, who now have the face of their franchise locked up through 2019. It also provides a nice bit of security for Rivers, 33, who battled a back injury over the second half of last season.

While both sides are happy to get a deal done, Rivers and the Chargers are not the only parties affected by this extension. Here is a look at some of the other beneficiaries:

North Carolina State

Rivers and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson both played college ball at NC State (although Wilson transferred to Wisconsin prior to his senior season). The pair signed new contracts this offseason that include a combined total of $125 in guaranteed money. That’s makes a great sales pitch for the Wolfpack as head coach Dave Doeren looks to recruit top-level quarterback prospects in the future.

Eli Manning

Manning entered the league in 2004 as part of the same draft class as Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. Now that Rivers and Roethlisberger have both signed the third contracts of their respective careers (Big Ben signed a five-year, $99 million extension on March 13), the framework is in place for Manning’s next deal. The Giants can expect to pay Manning an annual salary of roughly $20 million while guaranteeing upwards of $60 million.

The City of Los Angeles

There is better than a 50-50 chance Rivers play out the majority of this contract for the Los Angeles Chargers. Team owner Dean Spanos has walked away from the negotiating table with the city of San Diego and former NFL executive Carmen Policy recently said the Chargers and Raiders are “committed to Los Angeles.”

While that may be true, Los Angeles is not yet committed to the Chargers. Polls say football fans in L.A. prefer the return of the Rams or Raiders as opposed to seeing the Chargers move up the I-5. At least with Rivers in tow, fans in La La Land will have a competitive team to watch — since Rivers became a starter in 2006, the Chargers have posted just one losing record, going 7-9 in Norv Turner’s final season in 2012.

Keenan Allen

San Diego’s No. 1 receiver has two years remaining on his rookie contract. Had Rivers left town after his previous contract expired, Allen would have entered his contract year with a new quarterback under center. Instead, he goes forward with Rivers. Allen and Rivers have connected 148 times for 1,829 yards and a dozen touchdowns since Allen entered the league in 2013. With Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd nearing the ends of their brilliant careers, Allen and Rivers represent the future of San Diego’s passing game.

Clowney to Return Today

Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in 2014, will be removed from the PUP list today and allowed to practice with the Texans on a limited basis, according to head coach Bill O’Brien. Clowney is recovering from microfracture surgery that cut short an injury-plagued rookie season.

“It won’t be a full practice, but he’ll be out there,” O’Brien told the Houston Chronicle.

The Texans already boast one of the most dominant defensive front-sevens in the league, a unit that includes reigning Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and former Patriots stalwart Vince Wilfork. Linebackers Brian Cushing and Whitney Mercilus are also a part of that group.

If Clowney can stay healthy and play up to his potential as an edge rusher, that defensive front seven suddenly goes from imposing to impossible. And, honestly, that’s the only chance the Texans have for usurping Andrew Luck & Co. from the top spot in the AFC South.

Giants Sign Meriweather

GM Jerry Reese has been lying about his team’s safety position all offseason. New York is clearly desperate for help at that spot, although Reese refuses to admit it. He denied the Giants needed to draft a safety all the way up until the second round of this year’s draft, when he traded up to select Alabama product Landon Collins. After Collins was selected, he lied again and said he was now comfortable with the team’s talent at the position.

Reese went out and showed how desperate he is over the weekend by signing former Redskins and Bears safety Brandon Meriweather. The 31-year-old former Pro Bowler is familiar with the NFC East from his time in Washington. He is also familiar with Commissioner Roger Goodell, who has fined Meriweather at least five times and suspended him twice for making illegal hits.

Meriweather, who has a penchant for leading with his helmet, is without question one of the least intelligent players in the league, not exactly what you’re looking for in the quarterback of your secondary.

Tebow Time in Philadelphia

Even if it was nothing more than a preseason game, Philadelphia fans were sure eager to see Tim Tebow under center. The polarizing quarterback was back in action on Saturday as his Eagles hosted the Colts in the preseason opener for both teams.

It was Tebow’s first game action since sitting out last season, when he spent ample time and money working with professional trainers to improve his technique and accuracy. The result of all that hard work? A very familiar stat line that included a 50 percent completion rating and one rushing touchdown.

Head coach Chip Kelly, whose ego has been cited as the main reason for Tebow’s addition, was quick to defend his fourth-string quarterback.

“You have to look at who’s in with who,” Kelly said. “A different set of receivers was in when Tim was in, and a different line at times. A couple of those, you’re wondering, ‘why is he doing that?’ Well, the receiver ran the wrong route. There were a couple of busts out there.”

If Tebow beats out Matt Barley for the No. 3 job, Barkley will have no shortage of suitors, with the Bills and Jets expected to be near the top of that list.

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