Some decisions in the NFL are simple to make. Number-one on that list is if you have a quarterback that is considered anywhere around the level of good or better you do everything in your power to keep him on the roster.
This was the case with the San Diego Chargers and Philip Rivers. This is why Rivers got a four year-contract worth $83,250,ooo with $65,000,00 guaranteed, and it was an easy decision.
The former North Carolina State star isn’t the most conventional QB, but he gets the job done. His awkward throwing motion makes him unique and his mannerisms on the field bring some quality laughs. The results he puts together overshadows all of the sideshow stuff.
In nine seasons as a starter Rivers has been as durable as it gets playing in all 144 possible regular season games. San Diego has had one season under .500 and made the playoffs five times. While wins is a poor way on its own to judge a QB, Rivers performance across this time justifies itself. He’s completed 64.7% of his passes and thrown 251 touchdowns to 121 interceptions. The Chargers offense has ranked in the top 10 of Football Outsiders DVOA statistic seven of his nine seasons at the helm — Rivers has brought individual success, success to his specific unit and overall team success.
The one blemish on Rivers’ resume is the Chargers inability to win a Super Bowl. His playoff record is 4-and-5 and the numbers do take a dip from the regular season, which isn’t ridiculous considering the competition is better in the postseason.
The two best Chargers teams during this time was the 14-2 win team in 2006 and the 13-3 squad in 2009. Both times they failed to win a game at home in the Divisional Round. In 06 San Diego lost 24-21 to the New England Patriots under the watch of head coach Marty Schottenhiemer. This seems like a good time to point out Marty had ten double digit win seasons and never once made it to the Super Bowl.
The 09 game against the Jets I was actually at. The Chargers gave that game away due to a brutal gameplan put together by then head coach Norv Turner. The way to attack that New York’s defense was to spread them out and throw at their number-two corner, safeties and linebackers. Turner handed the ball off to a declining LaDainian Tomlinson 12 times for 24 yards and the Chargers offense didn’t get going until too late. The next week in the AFC Championship Game Peyton Manning and the Colts torched the Jets defense by opening up the field.
It’s too simple to just pan Rivers inability to get as deep into the playoffs all on him.
The reality is unless the Chargers want to start all over and go into a full rebuild mode there was no reason to not stick with Rivers as their quarterback. NFL franchises spend years and some even decades trying to get a quarterback of his level. By the end of this upcoming season Rivers will be 34 years old and should have multiple quality seasons left in the tank. Just because he hasn’t been able to get to the ultimate goal doesn’t stop him from potentially getting there in the future.
