The New York Giants gave their franchise quarterback, Eli Manning, a proper sendoff last season. First, they allowed the fans to say goodbye with one last home start (courtesy of Daniel Jones’ ankle) and then held a Giant-sized press conference with family, friends, former teammates and coaches in attendance to announce his retirement.
Not the same can be said for the player who was traded for Eli on draft day in 2004.
Quarterback Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers are parting ways, which elicited nothing more than a tweet from the team he gave his all to for the past 16 seasons.
Giants give retiring Eli Manning a hero’s sendoff. Chargers give Philip Rivers a quote in a tweet. Thinking Eli feels good about what happened on draft day in 2004. https://t.co/mCs2VdCHMU
— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) February 10, 2020
Philip Rivers was the #Chargers starting QB for 14 seasons and never missed a game during that stretch. 224 consecutive starts.
He tore his ACL in the '07 Divisional Round and still played in the Championship Game vs. the #Patriots.
A true competitor.pic.twitter.com/fTS6zlvDyM
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) February 10, 2020
We’re sure the Chargers will circle back with Rivers when he concludes his playing career. They will likely retire his number, put him in their Ring of Honor and give him a day in their new stadium, which is due to open next season.
Rivers is reportedly on the radar of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wants to continue his career. Maybe he’ll finally get to the Super Bowl, a game his 2004 classmates — Eli and Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger — have won twice.