Philip Rivers
The fourth overall pick who swapped places with Eli Manning on draft day to become San Diego's long-time quarterback, finishing his career with the Colts.
Philip Rivers arrived in San Diego in 2004 following a dramatic draft-day trade that sent Eli Manning to the New York Giants. Selected fourth overall by the Giants in a prearranged swap, Rivers was immediately traded to the Chargers for Manning, who had been taken first overall. He began his NFL career as a backup to Drew Brees for his first two seasons (2004–2005). He became the starting quarterback in 2006 under head coach Marty Schottenheimer, guiding the Chargers through their final years in San Diego and into their return to Los Angeles. His tenure with the Chargers ended after the 2019 season, and he played his final NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.
- Role
- Quarterback
- Tenure (Chargers)
- 2004–2019
- Draft Status
- Fourth Overall Pick (2004), acquired via trade
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Rivers was acquired by the Chargers on draft day after the team selected Eli Manning first overall in the 2004 NFL Draft and traded him to the New York Giants for Rivers, who had been chosen fourth overall by the Giants in a prearranged swap. The trade occurred because Manning did not want to play for San Diego. Under head coach Marty Schottenheimer in 2006, Rivers led the team to an AFC West title in his first season as the primary starter, posting a franchise-best 14–2 record. The team reached the Divisional Round before falling to the New England Patriots. In 2007 and 2008, under head coach Norv Turner, Rivers helped the Chargers win the division again, advancing deep into the playoffs in 2007 where they lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
In Their Own Story
The trade for Philip Rivers defined a pivotal shift in the franchise's history. Once settled as the starter in 2006, Rivers led the Chargers to their best regular-season record ever at 14–2. The team won the AFC West but was eliminated by the Patriots in the Divisional Round. He continued to lead the division-winning squads in 2007 and 2008 under Norv Turner, with the 2007 season culminating in an AFC Championship appearance. By 2013, Rivers guided a 9–7 team to the playoffs as a third-place finisher, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round before losing to the Denver Broncos.
Reader's Guide
Philip Rivers began his tenure with the Chargers after the 2004 draft trade. He officially took over as the starting quarterback for the 2006 season, leading the team to a 14–2 record and an AFC West title. His career includes leading the division in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2013. In 2013, he led the Chargers to a Wild Card victory over Cincinnati before a Divisional Round loss to Denver. The source confirms his presence through the team's move back to Los Angeles in 2017, though it does not specify when he retired or list specific career statistics like total yards or touchdowns.
Did You Know?
- Rivers was selected fourth overall by the New York Giants on draft day and immediately traded to the Chargers for Eli Manning, who was chosen first overall.
- Rivers was a backup to Drew Brees for his first two seasons (2004–2005) and became the starter in 2006.
- In 2006, Rivers led the team to a 14–2 record, the best in franchise history at that time.
- Rivers helped the Chargers win the AFC West title four times between 2006 and 2009.
- The 2013 season saw the Chargers make the playoffs despite finishing third in their division.
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