The Facts:
As Rivers prepares for his 16th NFL season, his preseason work is looking a little different -- regardless of his preference. Rivers, 37, only threw 14 passes in the preseason last year and is expected to be limited even further in 2019. There's even talk of him sitting out the preseason entirely. "When you have some players that are older, established players -- like some of ours are -- I'm not opposed to it," Chargers OC Ken Whisenhunt said Wednesday when asked if they would consider sitting their veterans out of the preseason."
Diehards Line:
Said Rivers when asked about limiting his reps, "As a competitor, as someone who enjoys practice, it's always hard. You almost need them to protect you from yourself. It can be positive. You have to find that right recipe so that you are ready and prepared to go have a great season, but also to be fresh and be smart." The plan clearly worked last season. Rivers played at an MVP level -- 32 touchdowns and 4,308 passing yards -- and the Chargers (12-4) had their best record since 2009. Indeed, the trio of HC Anthony Lynn, Rivers and Whisenhunt is entering Year 3, so there aren't many question marks in terms of X's and O's -- even if Rivers would prefer to do everything. But all involved know that if Rivers can survive the long summer while preserving his body, the Chargers should make a deep postseason run.