Philip Rivers: 'Hesitation over contract was not down to possible Los Angeles move'

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has revealed that his hesitation over signing a new contract with the club was not down to a "hatred" of their potential move to Los Angeles.

The Chargers are one of three NFL teams that have been linked with a switch to LA in the near future, but the 33-year-old was reportedly against the idea of moving away from San Diego.

Rivers has insisted that his opposition to a possible move was only down to his affinity to the San Diego area as he ended speculation over his future by signing a deal until the end of the 2019 season with the club.

He told reporters: "My hesitation and my lack of excitement for a potential move was more about the thought of leaving this community than it was about disdain for LA. Again, that's still out of my control.

"Nobody knows. It wasn't a hatred of Los Angeles. It was more of a love for this community. This is where all but one of my children have been born and where my family has grown over the last decade."

Rivers has thrown for 36,655 yards and 252 touchdowns to 122 interceptions in his 11 years in the NFL.