How Philip Rivers’ departure from Chargers impacts Tom Brady

It’s a big one for Tom Brady.

Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers are set to part ways when free agency opens on March 18. The 38-year-old quarterback will presumably sign with another team for next season, with L.A. ready to move in another direction, the team announced Monday.

That’s big news for the New England Patriots. Just minutes after the Chargers announced their decision to move on from Rivers, news broke that the Patriots and Tom Brady decided the quarterback should test free agency.

Because Rivers and Brady have similar free-agent profiles and because L.A. and New England have some similarities, all four parties are impacted by Rivers’ decision to hit free agency (along with the Patriots’ willingness to let Brady explore free agency).

1. One more compelling landing spot for Tom Brady

The Chargers have long been a good option for Brady in free agency. The argument for L.A. is more nuanced than it first appears. Of course, the Chargers have receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, one of the league’s best tandems. L.A. is also likely to retain tight end Hunter Henry (more on that later). Those three players are big enough talents to attract a good quarterback, right?

Well, the Chargers have had offensive line issues — and not just in 2019. So as Brady considers L.A., he’ll probably want assurances they can upgrade the talent on the offensive line.

But there’s also a silver lining for Brady. There may be no better market for Brady to launch the TB12 Method than L.A. The quarterback has designed a regimented diet and a niche workout regime. Brady saw the brand grow in a huge way in Boston, but in L.A., he could see it explode.

2. One more good QB on the market to compete with Tom Brady

Rivers had a down year, like Brady. Rivers is an aging quarterback, like Brady. But Rivers has wins under his belt which will appeal to a team trying to win now, like Brady. They boast a similar profile, even if Brady’s six Super Bowl rings and three NFL MVP awards make him a much more marketable player. But it’s likely teams will be entertaining both options — and perhaps teams will pit the impending free agents against each other. And if a team can’t get Brady, it’ll likely pursue Rivers.

3. Hunter Henry is now unlikely to hit free agency

Again, Henry will likely stay with the Chargers, who can place the franchise tag on the tight end — rather than on Rivers. That means the Patriots have one fewer talented option in free agency at tight end. Henry would have been a great player for New England to pursue, particularly if they wanted to show Brady they were committed to getting him and improved arsenal of skill players.

If Henry is a Charger, will that help L.A. make a case for Brady? It will surely be a factor, even if it’s a small one.

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