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REPORT: San Diego Chargers willing to franchise tag Philip Rivers

After word yesterday that it is "virtually certain" that all hope was lost for signing quarterback Philip Rivers to a new deal before the season, a new report today says they are willing to spend big to keep him at least 2 more years.

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

According to Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com, even though the Chargers and star quarterback Philip Rivers have yet to strike a long term deal, the team has already made up it's mind they will not let him go.

LaCanfora contradicts the "all hope is lost" reports from yesterday saying that the contract negotiations have made significant progress and that if no new deal is reached "this team is fully prepared to franchise Rivers in 2016, and 2017 if need be."

That is a HUGE financial investment, even with the salary cap set to increase again this year. Using the franchise tag on Rivers would cost the team somewhere in the neighborhood of $55 million for two seasons of work. This could be an indicator as well to how much guaranteed money the team is willing to give Rivers on a new long-term deal.

LaCanfora also says that he does not believe the rumors that Rivers won't go with the team if they move to LA. Long story short, LaCanfora believes Rivers isn't going anywhere.

The same cannot be said for safety Eric Weddle however. LaCanfora reiterates what we have all been hearing, that the talks between Weddle's camp and the team have gone nowhere, and this is very likely his last season in lightning bolts.