The 2004 class of quarterbacks are suddenly ailing. Ben Roethlisberger is done for the year, Eli Manning has been benched, and now, Philip Rivers’s starting role is in doubt. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers could make the dreaded move of benching their franchise quarterback this week in favor of the less-experienced Tyrod Taylor.
Here is Rapoport explaining more about his report and what it would take for the 4-7 Chargers to make an adjustment under center.
From @NFLGameDay: The #Chargers could make the QB move they dread today, benching QB Philip Rivers if his play mirrors the last 2 games (https://t.co/3TeRVfodjg)… meanwhile, the #Broncos are starting QB Drew Lock, because it's time to see what they have. pic.twitter.com/ArEdvy8F8n
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 1, 2019
As Rapoport mentioned, it would take another ugly, turnover-laden performance from Rivers for the team to send him to the bench. He’s played some poor football as of late, but coming off the bye week, perhaps he can turn things around against the Broncos. Of course, Los Angeles did lose to Denver earlier in the year. In that game, Rivers was 32-for-48 with 211 passing yards and zero touchdowns, both season lows for Rivers at home this season. He also posted a pair of interceptions, finishing with a 58.6 passer rating, just a tad below the season-worst rating he would record in Week 10 vs. Oakland (57.5).
On the year, Rivers has completed 268 of 416 passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, plus 23 sacks for a total of 130 yards. He’s been sacked seven times and thrown seven interceptions in the last two games while throwing only a trio of interceptions. Rivers is scheduled to hit free agency in just a few months and his struggles this season could mean he ends up on a new team next season. Additionally, today’s report can’t help, as Rivers now knows the team doesn’t have faith in him going forward.
Taylor, Rivers’s future successor, was drafted by the Ravens in 2011 and spent four years as Joe Flacco’s mobile backup (does this remind you of anyone?) before landing with the Buffalo Bills and instantly gaining the starting role. From 2015 to 2017, the speedy passer was selected to one Pro Bowl, going 22-20 in 43 starts while completing 774 of 1,236 passes for 8,857 yards and 51 touchdowns through the air. Notably, Taylor only threw 16 interceptions in three years with Buffalo, proving he doesn’t turn the football over too much and making for an enticing replacement to Rivers. Taylor opened 2018 as the Browns’ starter but was soon benched for then-rookie sensation, Baker Mayfield. He made his way to Los Angeles for 2019, where he has served as the backup, completing his lone pass attempt for seven yards. When in Buffalo, Taylor rushed 283 times for 1,575 yards and 14 scores.
Rivers’ woes this season in general and against the Broncos make it quite possible that the Chargers fall to 4-8 and make a change at quarterback, but perhaps today’s news will serve as enough motivation for Rivers to turn things around and keep Taylor on the bench. Only time will tell as an otherwise-quiet Chargers season suddenly yields some gossip.
