NFL Notebook, Week 12: NFC’s elite, Jason Garrett’s future, fantasy sleepers and more
By Zach Cohen
All Good Things Must Come to an End
My, how the mighty have fallen. Of course, did anyone not see it coming for Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers?
All three were taken in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, with Maninng going first, Rivers fourth and Roethlisberger eleventh. Nearly 15 years later, all are older than 37 and watching their impressive careers dwindle down.
I could give a quick history lesson by listing all three quarterback’s lengthy accomplishments. I could also recount the trade that swapped Manning for Rivers. I’m not concerned about what has happened, though. Let’s talk about what happens next…
Eli Manning: The writing was on the wall when the Giants took Daniel Jones sixth overall. Add in his age and contract and I can’t see New York retaining Manning next season. If I were Manning, I’d hang up my cleats this offseason, unless some truly desperate team comes calling.
Philip Rivers: After watching Rivers fail to do anything significant his past two games, it’s safe to say that the Chargers would be better off going in a different direction. With that said, I think it’s unlikely that Rivers suits up for another team. I can see Los Angeles turning to backup Tyrod Taylor or looking for a younger option in the draft. Fifth-round pick Easton Stick doesn’t seem like a viable option, yet.
Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben has arguably had the best career out of the trio. If he wasn’t injured in the second week, I’m unsure if he’d still be Pittsburgh’s quarterback. The way the backups have filled in, I don’t think it’s Roethlisberger’s time yet, though the Steelers would be wise to find a better replacement than Mason Rudolph or Devlin Hodges.