Is Rivers' New Deal the First Domino?

The San Diego Chargers checked the most glaring item off their to-do list on Monday when the team inked Philip Rivers to a six-year contract extension reportedly worth $92 million. The deal allows the Chargers to continue whittling down their list of prominent players entering contract years.

Philip Rivers ' new contract will keep him in lightning bolts through the 2015 season. The deal, reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune, guarantees $38 million and pays out $50 million over the first three seasons.

The timing of Rivers' deal is pivotal for two reasons: 1) it prevents his contract status from becoming a distraction; and 2) it gives the team the entire season to work out extensions with other marquee players.

The top three players in line for extensions are Marcus McNeill, Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles. LB Shawne Merriman is also entering a contract year, but the team seems content to gauge his ability to bounce back from knee surgery and keep his focus on the field. If he can do those two things, he's a likely candidate for the franchise tag.

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