Philip Rivers Receives Big Contract Extension
Rivers was expected to be the top quarterback selected in the 2004 NFL Draft, after a great college career. Rivers was projected to go higher than Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, who were both in the same draft. Rivers would be drafted fourth overall by the New York Giants, but was later traded to the San Diego Chargers, when Eli Manning, who was the first overall pick, refused to play for San Diego. Rivers signed a six-year contract with the team in 2004.
The Chargers made Rivers their starting quarterback in 2006, after Drew Brees left San Diego and signed a long-term contract with the New Orleans Saints. It was a move that has paid dividends for the Chargers, as Rivers has led them to the playoffs in three straight seasons. Rivers' first season as a starter was one of his best, with the Chargers going 14-2 in the regular season, but lost in the divisional round to the Patriots. The Chargers finished 11-5 the next season, and won the AFC West for the second consecutive year, but again lost in the playoffs.
The 27-year-old Rivers is coming off the best season of his pro career, this past season. Despite losing to the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, Rivers threw 34 touchdown passes and had a 105.5 passer rating in the regular season, which were both league-highs. Rivers also threw for over 4,000 yards, while only throwing 11 interceptions.
Most of Rivers' productivity has come in the last three seasons. His first two seasons with the team, saw him get little playing time, as backup quarterback to Drew Brees. Rivers has 10,697 passing yards, with 78 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. His career QB Rating is 92.9.
But unlike Manning and Roethlisberger, Rivers has never led his team to a Super Bowl or a Super Bowl victory. The farthest that the Chargers have made it in the playoffs with Rivers was in 2007, when San Diego beat the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts before losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Rivers will get six more seasons with the Chargers to try to win his first Super Bowl.
Published by Jake Bard
I like to write mainly about sports, as you can see with all the sports articles I have written. Been a sports writer for a while now. Feel free to view my articles. View profile
- NFL Team History - The New York GiantsThe New York Giants franchise was established by Tim Mara in 1925 and became a member of the National Football League.
- Jackie Robinson Would Have Played for the New York GiantsJackie Robinson, one of the fiercest competitors to have ever played the game, had no qualms about joining the New York Giants.
- New York Giants Free Agency: March 2, 2009A look back at moves made by the New York Giants during the previous weekend. Also, a short Houshmandzadeh update. Finally, Braylon Edwards to the Giants?
- 2008 New York Giants End of Season AwardsThere was plenty of good and bad for the New York Giants in 2008. I hand out some awards in this piece.
- San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: NFL Playoff and Super Bowl PredictionsThe San Diego Chargers are taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, January 11th at Heinz Stadium, in the next NFL playoff game.
- 2006 San Diego Chargers Preview
- Eli Manning Signs New Contract with New York Giants
- Experts and Clowns:The New York Giants, Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin, and Philip Rivers?
- The Manning-Rivers Trade
- 2009 New York Giants Schedule
- New York Giants 2009 Draft Recap
- Are the New York Giants Statistically a Better Team Without Tiki Barber?
2 Comments
Post a Commenthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZMv4XNhYRg
This move will not only get the Chargers figured out, but it's set to figure out a whole wave of contracts in the coming year or two that people were waiting on.