Los Angeles Chargers: It is time to move on from Philip Rivers

The Los Angeles Chargers’ playoff hopes ended on Monday by moving to 4-7 on the season and solidifying that the team needs to move on from Philip Rivers.

Philip Rivers has started every single game for the Los Angeles Chargers since 2006. He has played on a torn ACL, has endured some terrible supporting casts, has played for one of the more questionable ownership groups and has endured a change of scenery that directly impacted his life.

And through all of that, Rivers has been one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league. He is currently sixth in passing yards and passing touchdowns all-time. He will never get his due as he has not won a Super Bowl and has infamously come up short in close games time and time again.

It happened yet again on Monday. With the Chargers trailing by seven and in Kansas City Chiefs’ territory, Rivers underthrew a smothered Austin Ekeler at the goal line to lose the game. Kansas City picked Rivers off for the fourth time, the Chargers lost their seventh game by seven points or fewer.

More from LA Sports Hub

It has been one of those years for the Chargers, which has defined Rivers’ career. This exact same team could be 7-4 with some minor changes, but they aren’t. Again, this has been the definition of Rivers’ career.

And after yet another painful loss in which Rivers was the main culprit, it is clear that it might be time for the team to move on from the best quarterback in franchise history.

Some people are calling for Tyrod Taylor, but that is not the answer. Rivers has done so much for this team and has stuck with the franchise when they did not deserve him, the least he deserves is to finish out the season; the Chargers are not going to make the playoffs regardless.

But after this season, it is time to look another direction, although it is unclear which direction the team may take.

The team could draft a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft and this is a good year to do so. The draft class is riddled with prospects in Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jake Fromm, the list goes on and on.

However, with a talented cast already, the Chargers might also look to get an established quarterback to either bridge the gap to the rookie quarterback or take over the reins from Rivers.

Some in-between quarterbacks to watch for are Cam Netwon and Teddy Bridgewater, although there is more risk involved if they are simply entrusting them with the franchise instead of being a bridge to the future franchise quarterback.

Whatever it is, the Los Angeles Chargers need to pull the plug from Rivers once his career his over.

He has not been great this season, although it has not all been his fault. The team has a terrible offensive line and has undergone an offensive coordinator change after some questionable play calling. Those things are going to impact a quarterback.

And maybe Rivers can have success elsewhere. Maybe he can go to a team like the Chicago Bears next season and be their bridge quarterback for a year or two, turning them back into a playoff team.

As a fan of Rivers, I would not mind seeing that. I would like to see him succeed elsewhere. It would be nice to see both sides benefitting from a change of scenery and as a Charger fan, you bet I would root for Rivers in the playoffs if he was on another team (as long as it is not against the Chargers).

Rivers may have more left in the tank, he may want to hang it up after this season. Whatever he decides to do, he should not be the quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers next season.

dark. Next. The Lakers won't win the title without these improvements

It really is a sad thing to admit as well, as it has always felt like Rivers deserved more helped than the Chargers have given him and more credit than the NFL fans have given him.

Home/Los Angeles Chargers