Brandon Flowers: Facing Chiefs twice played into decision to sign with Chargers
Brandon Flowers may have found a new team, but the Pro Bowl cornerback will not be playing in a new division in 2014. After his release from the Kansas City Chiefs, Flowers signed with the San Diego Chargers Tuesday, keeping him in the AFC West.
Remaining in the division didn't happen by accident. Flowers appeared on Xtra Sports 1360 AM radio in San Diego Wednesday and was asked if playing the Chiefs twice a year factored into his decision to ink a deal with the Chargers.
"That definitely played in the decision," Flowers said. "Just the way I play the game, I just always felt like it would be fun. I never got that chance to play against an old team. Once I was on the team my whole life, I was on that team for good.
"So just going back to play some of the fellas, some of the coaches, it will definitely be fun. But I respect everybody in that program. They run a great program over there in Kansas City, great fans in Kansas City. But just for personal reasons I think it will be fun to line up across those guys."
Coming off of a Pro Bowl season, Flowers wasn't expecting to be searching for a new team this offseason. He understands the business side of the sport, but with his release coming so late, it made for a hectic few days.
"It was definitely a surprise, I think it caught myself off guard, a lot of people in the Chiefs' building off guard, players in the locker room off guard," Flowers said. "It's a business and in this business you gotta roll with the punches. Once the release happened, my phone and my agent's phone was a hotline. A lot of teams were calling, everyone was trying to bring me in because they're not used to getting a six-year starter this late that can maybe fall into their lap."
Flowers credited former Virginia Tech teammate and current Chargers wide receiver Eddie Royal as another big reason why he decided on San Diego. Royal showed him around the city and even had Flowers stay in his condo while he visited with Chargers brass.
A new team comes with a new role, as the six-year veteran will be asked to take on a mentoring role with a young secondary that includes cornerbacks Shareece Wright and first-round pick Jason Verrett.
"I'm just gonna tell them to go out there and be fearless, don't have no regrets on the field, let it all hang out," Flowers said. "I know how tough of a transition it was for myself and how I had Patrick Surtain, a veteran, on my team as a mentor and how much that helped me. So that's the least I can do."
To complete Tuesday's signing, the Chargers released cornerback Brandon Jones on Wednesday to free up a roster spot for Flowers.