Philip Rivers considered retiring from the NFL altogether last offseason.

Rivers signed a four-year extension with the San Diego Chargers in August.

"Physically, last year, I didn't know if I was going to play," Rivers said three weeks ago, after the Chargers' season-finale. "I mean really, physically, I was like, 'I may not even play football anymore.' This year, physically, I'm great.

"Emotionally, it's been rough, but I'm excited -- I really am excited about who the new core is going to be. I'm excited to be part of that group. ... I know they care, and they're pretty dang good football players, so let's go. Let's get healthy. Let's add a few pieces and let's go."