Philip Rivers sure picked a bad time to have one of the worst seasons of his career. The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback is slated to hit free agency this offseason, and there appear to be legitimate questions as to whether or not the Chargers will bring him back.
Rivers has spent his entire 16-year career with the Chargers' organization, so it would certainly be weird to see him playing for another franchise, but the possibility is certainly there.
That being said, Los Angeles should try to bring Rivers back.
Here are three reasons why:
3. Rivers represented the Chargers in the Pro Bowl from 2016 to 2018
To preface this, Rivers is 38 years old so he may be washed up. After all, Eli Manning is the same age and was a member of the same 2004 NFL Draft class as Rivers, and he seems to be headed for retirement.
But Rivers made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2016 through 2018, so there is some hope that he could bounce back in 2020.
At the very least, Rivers threw for 4,615 yards and completed 66 percent of his passes this season. No, the touchdowns weren't there (23), and he threw 20 interceptions, but let's keep in mind that Rivers has always been somewhat prone to turnovers. He had led the NFL in picks twice, once as recently as 2016 (when he made a Pro Bowl).
Maybe he'll be more efficient next season and improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio?
2. Rivers can mentor a young quarterback
Whether the Chargers decide to draft a quarterback this year (they should) or they think Easton Stick has what it takes to be the signal-caller of the future, it would be great to have a veteran there to mentor them, and what better option than Rivers himself?
I'm going to keep pointing to Manning, because the New York Giants drafted Daniel Jones last offseason and kept Manning around largely to help him along (you're kidding yourself if you thought the Giants would stick with Eli under center all year).
The Chargers should do the same thing.
Say what you want about Rivers, but he has had a very successful NFL career and has been an excellent quarterback for quite some time. He understands how to play quarterback in this league, and he can help groom his predecessor.
1. It's only right
Rivers has spent his entire career with the Chargers. Wouldn't it be right for him to finish it with them?
I understand that some Bolts fans may want to move on because Rivers may not have it anymore, but it's not like the Chargers have an immediate solution, so dumping him would be a bad look.
No, Rivers hasn't led the Chargers to any Super Bowls, but he has been an ironman who has never missed a start since taking over for Drew Brees in 2006. He has made eight Pro Bowls. He has been a franchise quarterback.
Provided that Rivers doesn't ask for an excessive amount of money, the Chargers need to show loyalty to No. 17 and let him end his career where it started.
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