Chargers want to keep Philip Rivers

PHOENIX -- San Diego Chargers general manager Tom Telesco reiterated his wish for veteran quarterback Philip Rivers to retire with the organization once his playing days are over.

"Absolutely," Telesco said. "He's our guy. Like I've said before, we'd like to extend him. And when he's ready to do that, we'll get moving on it."

Rivers fueled speculation about his future with the Chargers in comments he made in a report by U-T San Diego last week.

"What I can control and all I know as of today, I am signed up for one more year," Rivers told U-T San Diego. "I guess things could change, but with all the uncertainty in many aspects, I don't see it changing before camp gets here, and when camp gets here I'm even more certain to play it out."

With the possibility of the franchise relocating to Los Angeles in 2016 and the desire to see if the Chargers are being built to contend for a deep playoff run, Rivers is keeping his options open.

Rivers is in the final year of his deal, scheduled to make $15.75 million in base salary for the 2015 season.

"Philip is our franchise quarterback," Chargers coach Mike McCoy told ESPN. "We're very fortunate to have him. He's the leader of our organization. And we're looking forward to him having a great 2015 season."

The Chargers are rumored to potentially be interested in trading Rivers, who was slowed by back and rib injuries in 2014. Helping fuel that speculation is the fact San Diego is scheduled to work outOregonquarterback Marcus Mariota away from the team's facility in April.

But Telesco squashed the possibility of San Diego trading Rivers.

"It's not even on our radar," Telesco said. "He's a Charger."

Mariota is not scheduled to travel to Chargers Park for a pre-draft visit. Telesco indicated the workout is part of his personnel department doing its due diligence. The Chargers also are scheduled to work out Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson and reportedly have a pre-draft visit scheduled with Baylor signal-caller Bryce Petty.

"It's what we do for a living," Telesco said. "We scout them all. I tell our scouts, we have to scout like it's an empty roster. It's what we do every year."