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The Los Angeles Chargers have no visible long-term plan at quarterback

By Ed Stein

CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 22: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass in the first quarter during the game against the Denver Broncos at the StubHub Center on October 22, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 22: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass in the first quarter during the game against the Denver Broncos at the StubHub Center on October 22, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Philip Rivers is one the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He’s led the Los Angeles Chargers since 2006, but at 36 years old, how much longer will he be there?

The Los Angeles Chargers are a fortunate team, Philip Rivers has been their starting quarterback since 2006. He’s been the team’s iron man, never missing a start. On the flipside, Rivers is also 36 and won’t be around forever. As it stands now, the Chargers don’t have a plan to replace him.

The Incumbent

Philip Rivers has been with the Chargers since a draft-day trade in 2004. He’s done just about everything the team has wanted him to do except go to the Super Bowl. Here are some of the highlights.

He hasn’t missed a regular-season start since he became the starter in 2006. In that time, the North Carolina State Alum has been a Pro Bowler seven times. He has in any one season led the league in passing yards, completions, completion percentage, passing yards, yards per attempt, and quarterback rating.

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How about career numbers:

  • Pass Completions: 4171 – seventh all-time, fourth active
  • Passing Yards: 50,348 – eighth all-time, fifth active
  • Passing TDs: 342 – sixth all-time, third active
  • Passer Rating 94.8 – eighth all-time, fifth active

There are some other numbers worth examining. Rivers has been sacked 379 times for a total loss of 2,288 yards. He’s also run the ball 335 times in his career. Unfortunately, there are no stats for knockdowns, blocks, etc. It’s safe to say he’s been hit over 1500 times. It’s a small miracle he hasn’t missed significant time due to injury.

No Long-Term Plan

This year’s backups are Geno Smith and former Ohio State super-sub Cardale Jones. The question is, do the Los Angeles Chargers have a long-term plan at the quarterback position? It doesn’t look that way. There is no heir apparent on the horizon.

In fact, the Chargers have only drafted three quarterbacks since the Rivers draft. They are Charlie Whitehurst (3rd round, 2006), Jonathan Crompton (5th round, 2010), and Brad Sorenson (7th Round, 2013). Since none of the above has panned out, their recent history of developing QB’s isn’t good either.

Either they have faith that Philip Rivers is indestructible, they’re in denial, or there is no plan. I’m going with the third option. That’s disappointing when you consider that the signal-caller is 36. Realistically, he has maybe two seasons left if he can stay healthy.

LAC is not going to be the worst team in the NFL so they probably won’t have a shot at the top available QB. In addition, there are several other teams who need quarterbacks, so what little talent there is will be in high demand.

Next. The Chargers are fine without Jason Verrett. dark

Unless GM Tom Telesco has something going on that no one knows about, the Chargers have one huge question with no answer.

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