Why Philip Rivers deserves a fresh start in 2016

The San Diego Chargers should do the right thing and trade quarterback Philip Rivers.

Now, please put down the pitchforks Chargers fans, and hear me out.

Rivers is still one of the best, and most underrated, quarterbacks in the NFL. He shouldn't be traded because of a lack of performance, quite the opposite.

With another year almost gone, and another season in which the Chargers failed to make the playoffs despite Rivers' best efforts, the 34-year-old deserves a chance to end his career in the right way.

And that will not happen with the Chargers.

Rivers agreed to a four-year contract extension in the past offseason that will likely tether him to the Chargers, regardless of whether they stay in San Diego or move to Los Angeles after the season is done.

I'm not saying this is the most likely scenario, however, it could be the most beneficial for both parties.

Obviously, San Diego does not want to let go of their franchise quarterback. He was the only reason they managed to scrape together four wins this season. However, this Chargers team is not close to competing, their roster has a crippling lack of talent.

They need cap space and they need the most amount of draft picks possible to turn around the franchise. The offensive line was a mess most of the season, with injuries crippling the unit. Safety Eric Weddle is likely gone, tight end Antonio Gates will be 36 years old when 2016 starts, and wide receiver Malcolm Floyd is heading for retirement.

All of Rivers' most reliable teammates, the guys he's counted on for nearly a decade, are on their way out the door.

While Rivers put up another solid campaign, throwing 27 touchdowns to just 12 picks with a completion percentage of 66.5, he can no longer drag this terrible roster to the postseason.

There is a scenario where the Chargers, who currently have the third overall pick in the 2016 draft, give Rivers what he deserves, and help replenish their roster at the same time.

For argument's sake, let's send Rivers to the Houston Texans.

They have DeAndre Hopkins, who would immediately become the best receiver Rivers has ever played with, a solid defense led by J.J. Watt, and a coaching staff that's firmly in place after leading the Texans back to the playoffs.

All they're missing is someone under center, and it's easy to envision them trading a first- and third-round pick this year, and at least another first-round pick next year.

The Chargers would not only be able to rebuild with the bevy of picks they'd receive in return, but they'd still be able to use their first-round pick on a young quarterback like Jared Goff or Paxton Lynch.

If they do move to L.A., which looks inevitable at this point, the Chargers would have an exciting rookie and a reinvigorated team in which to draw in a new fan base.

Rivers would get a shot at a championship that he deserves, and the team that got him would also get his contract. The remaining four years of his deal averages around a $20-million cap per year, which will look like a bargain when the salary cap inevitably skyrockets.

Everybody wins.

Rivers backed off his comments about his disdain for the potential move for L.A, but it's still not an ideal change for him and his large family.

No fan wants to see their "guy," their franchise, their hero walk out the door.

But no one also wants to see Rivers wallow on one of the worst teams in the league for the twilight of his career.

A player of his caliber deserves more than that, and that is something no Chargers fan can deny.