3 stats that perfectly sum up Philip Rivers’ career

2. 63,440

Rivers is fifth all-time in passing yards, passing touchdowns (421) and pass completions (5,277). But that first mark, 63,440 yards (including a Chargers’ franchise record 59,271 yards), stands out in part due to the finish he had to get there.

Rivers was clearly in decline in the final couple years of his career. But you could up the aforementioned yardage mark in each of his final eight seasons to 4,100, and it would still fit.

This side of Tom Brady, and even he has had a relatively down year once in awhile, quarterbacks seem to hit a wall quickly as they approach and cross 40 years old (Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, etc.). Rivers went against that grain, avoiding major injuries and a sudden steep decline over the waning years of his career. The yardage mark he finishes with is a testament to that.