COSTA MESA, Calif. -- With 14 years in the NFL, Philip Rivers has witnessed the turnstile of players come in and out the door with the Los Angeles Chargers. So Rivers, 36, understands that even though he hasn't missed a start in more than a decade, at some point the Chargers have to begin the search for his eventual replacement.
The Chargers have started that process. They signed Geno Smith, 27, to a one-year deal, to compete with Cardale Jones, 25, for the backup job. Last year's backup, Kellen Clemens, 34, did not return.