COSTA MESA, CA — The previous two games have resulted in losses against AFC West division opponents due to poor decision making by quarterback Philip Rivers. As they Chargers sit at 4-7, they are a hair away from being mathematically eliminated from the playoff contention, however this is a scrappy bunch who maintains the fight.
“It has been a tough two-game stretch,” Rivers explained. “Really unlike any two games I can remember having back to back. You bear down even harder to not turn it over and I believe I can get that done.”
With an aging quarterback at the helm, many have wondered if it’s time for Rivers to hang up the cleats by season’s end or sooner?
“I understand it. I know it comes with it,” Rivers said of the criticism. “I just think it’s not one of those things I’m looking for extra motivation or I’ll show them, or I can’t believe they think that. I get it. If I was in that locker room, I’d be upset with me too. You know some of those things that just comes with it.”
Rivers currently has 15 touchdown passes with 14 interceptions this season, which has not helped his QBR. Rivers has looked as if it time to hang up the cleats at the end of the season or sooner.
Remember the Chargers had three opportunities to draft quarterbacks in the last few years, however the elected to stick with their franchise quarterback which now has been costly. Rivers is a future hall of famer, and early on in his career didn’t get the full respect and attention that his fellow 2004 draftees received like Ben Roethlisberger with the Pittsburgh Steelers or Eli manning with the New York Giants. Rivers has managed to outlast them both, yet the other quarterback backs mentions have combined for three Super Bowl rings.
Rivers has digressed tremendously this season, with the amount of talent that is on this team that include Hunter Henry, Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Derwin James to name a few there is no excuse for the team to be in the position they currently finds themselves in. No matter how many times they replace the offensive coordinator, (firing Ken Whisenhunt and replacing him with Shane Steichen) the common issue is the quarterback who continues to struggle.
The Bolts need to move on from Rivers by season’s end and draft a quarterback for the future. In between time, hope there may be some fire attached to the smoke that Tom Brady could consider relocating to Los Angeles to finish out his career, much like LeBron James did with the Los Angeles Lakers. Or take a chance on a rested Cam Newton to lead their offense until their rookie draftee can take over the reigns under center.
Not only is their future about what happens on the field but what happens off of it when it comes to promoting their product to a city that hasn’t been fully receptive, which is truly unfair. Selling merch and seats are essential in the successful development of the future of the franchise at the new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood next fall.
Bottom line, Rivers has had a great run with the Chargers but is no longer enough to get the team over the top. The Chargers are 1-7 in one-score games this season.It’s time for a fresh voice and face under center and hang number 17 in the Ring of Honor. If Rivers wishes to play for another team, wish him well and release him into free agency.
