Ranking the top 50 quarterbacks in NFL history…
Drafted fourth overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2004 out of NC State (via a draft-day trade with the New York Giants) Rivers sat behind Drew Brees for two seasons before becoming the starter in 2006, embarking on a durable career marked by prolific passing.
Rivers spent 16 seasons with the Chargers (San Diego until 2016, then Los Angeles), leading them to six playoff berths (2006-09, 2013, 2018). His breakout 2008 season included 4,009 yards, a league-high 34 touchdowns and 105.5 passer rating, earning Pro Bowl honors.
In 2009, he threw for 4,254 yards and 28 scores, finishing third in MVP voting. Rivers peaked again in 2013 with 4,478 yards and 32 touchdowns, capturing Comeback Player of the Year after a down year. After signing with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, he threw for 4,169 yards and 24 touchdowns, guiding them to an 11-5 record and the playoffs before retiring.
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In 244 games, Rivers accumulated 63,440 passing yards, 421 touchdowns and 209 interceptions with a 64.9 percent completion rate.
He led the NFL in yards (2010), touchdowns (2008) and rating (2008), earning eight Pro Bowl nods in his career. At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, his buoyant, trash-talking personality endeared him to teammates.
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Rivers’ playing style was that of a pure pocket passer: immobile but with a quick release, relying on pre-snap reads and post-catch yards to dissect defenses. Criticized for interceptions (leading the league twice) and inconsistency in big games — never reaching a Super Bowl — his volume stats and 134-106 record cement his Hall of Fame case.
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Featured image via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports