2020 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins, Cowboys trade up in post-free agency 3-round mock

Philip Rivers was taken by the New York Giants in the 2004 NFL Draft and promptly traded to the San Diego Chargers. After backing up Drew Brees for a couple of seasons, Rivers took the reins full-time in 2006. Since then, he’s been the face of the franchise as he displayed great leadership and toughness — none more so than when he played in the AFC Championship Game on a torn ACL.

Even with that serious injury, he never missed a start for the Chargers and led them to two winning seasons in their first two years of their second-stint as the Los Angeles Chargers. That all has come to an end as Rivers is now with the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles appears ready to trot out Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback.

Of course with Taylor, it’s pretty apparent he’s a stop-gap. The former Virginia Tech quarterback has now had stints with the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Cleveland Browns before coming to L.A. and he hasn’t been able to hold down any starting job long-term. That doesn’t mean he can’t play for a year while they work in a rookie, which is what they plan to do here with the selection of Justin Herbert.

The Oregon product was highly sought after last year but elected to return for his senior campaign. His stock remained similar to 2019, but Joe Burrow and Tua end up surpassing him. That becomes a win for the Bolts as they land a guy who can lead them for the next 10-15 years.