Philip Rivers only started three games with the Indianapolis Colts, but that’s more than most were expecting this year. Rivers’ return to the NFL in an era of Hollywood revivals strangely brought sports in line with movies for a moment, and fittingly with the former Los Angeles Chargers quarterback at the helm. It was a brief, if memorable, sub-plot to the year.
However, did Rivers help or damage his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame by lacing them up one more time?
First of all, the 44-year-old Philip Rivers got through the three games healthy, which was less than guaranteed. However, aside from that, the quarterback threw for four touchdowns, three interceptions, and completed 63% of his passes. Above all, he went 0-3.
While the narrative aspect could boost Rivers’ chances of getting into Canton, his production left plenty of room for improvement. Plus, perhaps worse than anything else, it delayed his eligibility by half a decade. Rivers was close to getting across that line, but he now goes back to square one.
Check Out Our Custom Chargers Merch!
In five years, his accomplishments and story will be that much more muddied by the passage of time when it comes time to choose finalists. Judges will strain themselves harder than if Rivers had stayed retired, and his most recent winless run will be the freshest tape and memories out there. Stacked against other greats that could be in line for the first ballot at the same time as Rivers, it might be tougher for Rivers to separate.
Who Could Be Eligible To Join Hall of Fame At Same Time As Philip Rivers?
Five years from now, Judges could be forced to choose between Philip Rivers and other players like Travis Kelce, Adam Thielen, Aaron Rodgers, and Mike Evans. Some of these players have already been pretty clear about retirement, like Theilen, per Vikings media, while others could seemingly be pondering it.
Of course, those names would be in addition to other greats that have been waiting for years by that time as well, whoever it might be. If the sudden Antonio Brown exit at the end of the 2021 season delays his ability to make the Hall of Fame, the Los Angeles Chargers franchise quarterback could end up competing with him as well.
Either way, the seed has been planted. In five years, it will be clear how much Philip Rivers’ return backfired in the grand scheme of things.