One topic of conversation that most NFL fans love to engage in is which players are Hall of Famers.
While there can be all different types of criteria used to identify a Hall-of-Fame player, statistics will always be a key metric.
Not many quarterbacks in the history of the league had better statistics than Philip Rivers.
Rivers retired from football after the 2020 season, so his five-year clock to the Hall of Fame has officially started.
But, what are the odds that he ends up in Canton?
Let’s take a look at his career and how he stacks up with some other Hall-of-Fame caliber QBs.
Rivers has 63,440 career passing yards, putting him sixth all-time.
That puts him ahead of Aaron Rodgers, Dan Marino, and John Elway.
Rivers is also sixth all-time in passing touchdowns with 421.
With the five QBs ahead of him all being first-ballot Hall-of-Famers.
Rivers is also an eight-time Pro Bowler but has never been named to an All-Pro team.
What Is Holding Him Back?
The NFL has turned into much more of a passing league over the past decade.
So, while Rivers’ stats may be better than a lot of Hall-of-Fame QBs, he also has a lot more attempts.
Also, Rivers has never won a Super Bowl.
Most quarterbacks are judged on their ability to win the big game.
Yet, Rivers never even played in the Super Bowl.
Also, for the duration of his career, Rivers was never considered the best QB in the NFL.
Playing in an ERA with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees, Rivers was mostly an afterthought.
So while his stats are plenty good to make the Hall of Fame, it will be interesting to see what the HOF voters do with Rivers.
Watching Rivers play against the other great QBs of his era, he seemed a notch below.
The long-time Charger will receive plenty of votes, but it seems likely he will not be enshrined.
More must-reads: