Should These Chargers Legends Make The Hall Of Fame?

Drew Brees has one of the greatest careers of any quarterback in NFL history. After four years at Purdue, Brees ended his college career as the all-time Big Ten leader in passing completions, attempts, and yards while leading Purdue to its first Rose Bowl appearance in over 30 years.

Despite all these accomplishments, Brees fell in the draft due to his lack of size and dropped to the 2nd round, where the Chargers selected him with the 32nd overall pick of the 2001 draft. The Chargers also drafted Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson in that same class, forming one of the most elite quarterback-running back combinations the game has ever seen.

Check Out Our Custom-Designed Los Angeles Chargers Merch HERE!

In 2004, Brees had his breakout season, leading the Chargers to a 12-4 record and the Chargers’ first AFC West title in a decade. However, the next season did not go as well as Brees suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that left his career in jeopardy.

The Chargers decided it was time to move on from Brees, but the New Orleans Saints gave him an opportunity. Brees would more than reward the Saints, leading New Orleans to their first-ever Super Bowl win over Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Despite never winning MVP, Brees retired as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history. He finished 2nd all-time in career passing yards and touchdowns only to Tom Brady. Additionally, he holds the record for the highest completion percentage in a season at 74.8% in 2018, and has the most consecutive games with a passing touchdown at 54 consecutive games.

Brees is the only quarterback to lead the NFL in passing yards in seven different seasons, as well as the only quarterback to ever pass for over 5,000 yards in five different seasons.

The Verdict: Brees has the accolades as well as the playoff success to belong in the NFL Hall of Fame. He will 100% be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2026.

Phillip Rivers

If you did a blind resumé of Phillip Rivers, there is no doubt he would be in the Hall of Fame. An 8x Pro Bowl quarterback who retired both top 5 all-time in passing yards and touchdowns while holding every franchise record imaginable would normally be a lock to make the Hall of Fame. That resumé would describe Phillip Rivers, who was the starting quarterback for the Chargers from 2006 to 2019.

However, despite these impressive accolades, many fault Rivers for his shortcomings in the playoffs with an underwhelming 5-7 postseason as he only made it to one AFC championship game in his career, where he famously played the undefeated Patriots on a torn ACL without his Hall of Fame teammates, Ladainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates.

Join Our LAFB Community And Support Local Business!

Despite Rivers’ unquestioned toughness, he was often let down by bad coaching, special teams, and offensive line play in the biggest moments. Not to mention, he played in an extremely difficult era featuring the likes of Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Ray Lewis, and Peyton Manning, all in one conference.

However, the quarterback is the first person to receive credit when their team wins, but he is also the first person to receive blame when their team falls short.

The Verdict: Despite the impressive accolades, it really falls on the individual voters to determine whether wins are truly a quarterback statistic or a team statistic. Even though there is no doubt that Rivers is a superior quarterback to fellow 2004 draft classmate Eli Manning, many point to Manning’s Super Bowls as justification for him to be in the Hall of Fame.

So if a 2 time Super Bowl champion did not get in first ballot, it seems unlikely Rivers will make it first ballot either. Ultimately, this is a true 50/50 decision that can be argued either way.

If you look at Rivers’ career with the proper context, he is no doubt a Hall of Famer. Rivers will make the Hall of Fame someday, but it will not be in 2026.

Lorenzo Neal

Making the NFL Hall of Fame is the highest honor an NFL player can achieve, making it a very exclusive club. For fullbacks, that number is even less, as there are only 10 fullbacks who have ever made it, and that number will not be increasing by much in the future with the position dying out in modern-day NFL offenses.

When it comes to the fullback position, nobody was more impactful than Lorenzo Neal.

In 11 straight seasons, Neal blocked for a running back that rushed for over 1,000 yards: Adrian Murrell in 1997, Warrick Dunn in 1998, Eddie George in 1999 & 2000, Corey Dillon in 2001 & 2002, and LaDainian Tomlinson from 2003-2007. This, of course, includes Tomlinson’s record-setting 2006 season, where Tomlinson set the all-time record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 28, as well as winning the MVP.

The Verdict: Despite not playing the most glamorous position, one cannot deny the impact of Lorenzo Neal’s career. Neal, without a doubt, belongs in the Hall of Fame and will make it eventually, even if it is not in 2026.

Rodney Harrison

Every year the Hall of Fame nominees are announced, many people ask the same question: How is Rodney Harrison not already in the Hall of Fame?

Harrison is without a doubt one of the best safeties of all time as he was an instrumental part in the Patriots winning multiple Super Bowls.

An All-American safety at Western Illinois, Harrison fell to the Chargers in the 5th round of the 1994 draft. Harrison’s impact was immediate as he helped the Chargers make their only Super Bowl in 1995. In his time with the Chargers, he established himself as one of the game’s elite safeties.

However, in a stunning move in 2003, the Chargers released Harrison. The Patriots pounced on the opportunity, signing Harrison to a 6-year deal, even cutting ties with star safety Lawyer Milloy to make room for Harrison.

Join Our LA Chargers Forum And Message Boards

The Patriots were instantly rewarded as Harrison led the league in tackles and made first-team all-pro in 2003. The playoffs were where Rodney Harrison truly shone as he intercepted every quarterback the Patriots faced on their way to a Super Bowl victory over Carolina.

In 2004, he played even better, leading the NFL in tackles again in the regular season. In the playoffs, he forced a key fumble on Colts’ wide receiver Marvin Harrison and intercepted Peyton Manning on the game’s final drive. In the AFC championship game, Harrison intercepted Ben Roethlisberger and returned it for a touchdown. Harrison saved his best for the 2004 Super Bowl, fighting through an injury to intercept Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb twice, including one with 10 seconds left to close out the game.

Harrison is the all-time leader in sacks for a defensive back and the first player to record a 30-sack, 30-interception career.

Harrison has the accolades and the playoff success, so why is he still not in the Hall of Fame? He is known as an incredibly physical and, at times, dirty player. The way he hit people was often violent and has been outlawed from the modern game.

Notoriously, in a preseason game, Harrison hit Rams quarterback Trent Green low, causing Green to tear his ACL and MCL, altering his career. Harrison was voted the dirtiest player in the league by his peers multiple times, while also receiving numerous suspensions and fines by the league, paying over $200,000 in fines.

The Verdict: Football is a violent game, and there are many dirty players who are already in the Hall of Fame. You cannot tell the story of the NFL without Rodney Harrison, as he played a key role in the Patriots’ Super Bowl victories in both 2003 and 2004, as well as their 18-1 season in 2007.

The only reason Harrison is not in the Hall of Fame is due to politics. Harrison should have been in a decade ago, and he will get in once the voters set aside their personal biases.

The Future Los Angeles Chargers

While these former Chargers from yesteryear have been officially nominated for the Hall of Fame, there are several current Chargers who are making their case to be Hall of Famers one day as well. Let’s take a quick glimpse into the future to review these current Chargers’ candidacy.

Justin Herbert

Hard to believe Justin Herbert has been in the league for five years. Herbert already has the accolades of a Hall of Famer, boasting the record for most passing yards and touchdowns all-time for a quarterback in their rookie year, sophomore year, 3rd, 4th, and 5th seasons in the league.

He is also the only quarterback to throw for 30 touchdowns or more in his first two years in the league and the only quarterback to have 4,000+ yards in their first 3 years in the league.

Ultimately, similar to Rivers, Herbert will be judged by his postseason success. So far, Herbert is not off to a great start, blowing a 27-0 lead to Jacksonville and throwing 4 interceptions against the Texans in his only two playoff games. Herbert will need to have some success in the postseason to punch his ticket to Canton.

Keenan Allen

In his 12 years in the league, Keenan Allen has established himself as one of the game’s best wide receivers. He is one of two Chargers receivers to have ever eclipsed 10,000 career receiving yards.

One of the best route runners in NFL history, Keenan will look to build upon his already impressive resumé with his return to the Chargers organization. Allen has a serious case to be in the Hall of Fame but with no all-pros or Super Bowl rings, it will be a tough road ahead as the NFL has been notoriously stingy when it comes to admitting receivers into the Hall.

Khalil Mack

Primarily known for his years with the Raiders and Bears, Mack has also been successful in his tenure with the Chargers as well, setting the Chargers’ franchise record for sacks in a game last year against the Raiders with 6, just one shy of Derrick Thomas’ all-time record.

A standout at Buffalo University, Mack set the NCAA record for forced fumbles and tackles for loss. Mack is considered one of the best defensive players of the 2010’s boasting an impressive 5 All-Pro selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2016.

He is also the only player to ever make All-Pro at two different positions in one season.

Mack’s resume makes him a no-doubt Hall of Famer as he looks to add a Super Bowl to his already impressive trophy collection.

Derwin James

When you are the best in the NFL at your position for a decade, you most certainly deserve to be rewarded. That would describe Chargers’ superstar safety Derwin James, as he has been unquestionably the best safety in the NFL for the last 10 years.

A 4 time All-Pro at just 29 years old, James has established himself as one of the most feared players in the game. He does not just hit hard, but he is also an incredibly smart player, as he is able to rush the quarterback while also being able to cover a wide variety of receivers and tight ends.

He will certainly be a first ballot entry, as he is one of the most dominant safeties the game has ever seen.