Los Angeles Chargers: How much longer will Philip Rivers Play?
By Hil Lopez
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is one of the most underrated quarterbacks of all-time and is getting up there in age.
Philip Rivers has been with the Los Angeles Chargers for his entire 16-year career since 2004. In that span, Rivers has reached over 208 consecutive starts with the team.
The 37-year-old has been an iron man in terms of durability ever since he tore his ACL in the 2007 AFC Championship game and still continued playing until the game is over. This begs the question that Chargers fan wonder: How much longer will Philip Rivers continuing playing?
Rivers is in the last year of a four-year contract that is paying him $83.25 million. Rivers has been remarkably consistent as he has thrown over 4,000+ yards in his last six season and is in the top 15 of all-time passers in terms of yardage.
He seems in no rush to do another contract extension. As of January 2019, per NFL.com, Tom Telesco, the Chargers GM stated:
“Philip is not going anywhere and there is no timetable to do an extension.”
Philip’s response to Telesco statement, again per NFL.com, was:
“I’m under contract this season and we have a good group and I’m excited about this team and our opportunities.”
According to Rivers’ comments, he seems focused on completing his current contract for this season and not any further. Rivers is approaching his 38th birthday in December and seems content.
He may not have Melvin Gordon at his disposal due to a contract dispute, but he has good complementary running backs like Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson and weapons on the outside like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
In addition to his weapons, he has a strong defense supporting with defensive standouts Casey Hayward, Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Derwin James, albeit James is hurt.
With a strong supporting cast on offense and defense, Rivers should plan to play at least three more seasons after this one. That will take him into his age 41 season.
In an era where quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning are playing into their late 30s, and in some cases early 40s, Rivers should continue playing in order to give himself a chance to capture a Super Bowl Title.
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As long as he stays healthy and has good protection from his offensive line, Rivers will play for a couple more years.