Chargers GM: We 'like our internal options' at QB
The Los Angeles Chargers have a question mark at quarterback heading into the 2020 offseason, but they believe their answer could already be on the roster.
"It's too early to eliminate any options but we do like our internal options right now," general manager Tom Telesco told "The Petros and Money Show" on AM 570 LA Sports on Tuesday.
The Chargers announced Monday that Philip Rivers will enter free agency after 16 years with the club. The 38-year-old started all 224 of the franchise's games dating back to 2006. Aside from Rivers, Tyrod Taylor and Easton Stick are the only quarterbacks on Los Angeles' roster.
"Tyrod Taylor is a player that's won in this league ... and we think he has a style that can fit what we can do," Telesco said. "We have some high hopes for Easton Stick. Easton is still a young quarterback that has a little ways to go. But we have a lot of confidence in Tyrod Taylor."
Taylor, a nine-season veteran, signed a two-year contract with the Chargers in 2019. He's 24-21-1 in 46 career NFL starts, the last of which came with the Cleveland Browns in 2018. The 30-year-old made the Pro Bowl in 2015 as a member of the Buffalo Bills.
The Chargers selected Stick in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft after he enjoyed a strong career at North Dakota State. The 24-year-old didn't attempt a pass during his rookie season.
Though Telesco voiced faith in the team's rostered options, he didn't rule out the possibility of acquiring a new signal-caller.
"I don't think there's a best way or only way to do it ... I like our internal options and we will also look at external options," he said. "If there was just one way to win a Super Bowl everybody would do it. That's the goal here.
"Obviously having a young quarterback on a rookie contract will help you salary-cap wise with other positions. The flip side is that it's going to be a young quarterback and most likely be an unproven quarterback."
The Chargers have posted a 53-59 regular-season record since naming Telesco general manager in 2013. They've made two playoff appearances in that span.
The AFC West club holds the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.