Chargers, Rivers halt contract talks

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004 | 9:29 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

The San Diego Chargers broke off talks Monday with unsigned rookie quarterback Philip Rivers.

Rivers, chosen by the Giants with the No. 4 pick in the draft, was acquired by the Chargers in the deal that sent quarterback Eli Manning to New York. Manning was selected by San Diego with the No. 1 overall pick.

"This is very disappointing and unfortunate," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said Monday at the team's preseason camp in Carson, Calif. "Negotiations broke down."

"We wanted to get him signed before the reporting date, we made an effort. We tried, and we couldn't come to an agreement. He had an offer until 5 p.m. Sunday. That was rejected, and now the offer is off the table. It will only go down from here."

Smith said the Chargers' proposal wasn't a slot offer and exceeds the deals for Robert Gallery and Larry Fitzgerald, who were selected with the second and third overall picks -- right before Rivers.

Gallery signed with Oakland for seven years with $18.5 million guaranteed and $60 million with incentives. Fitzgerald's six-year deal with Arizona calls for $20 million guaranteed and $60 with incentives.

Manning signed with the Giants for $20 million in guaranteed money and can earn $54 million in incentives.

The Chargers have just three healthy quarterbacks on the roster, Drew Brees, last year's starter; Cleo Lemon, the team's No. 3 quarterback last season; and free agent Joe Germaine.

Veteran Doug Flutie is expected to miss two more weeks following surgery on his left knee.