NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history

NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history: 27. The Los Angeles Chargers look past Drew Brees bum shoulder

Long before Drew Brees was throwing darts all over the field for the New Orleans Saints, he was doing it for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Although it was still early in his career, Brees was well on his way to hitting all-time status. In his last full year with the Chargers, Brees threw for 3,576 yards, 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Still, even with those numbers, the Chargers opted to take quarterback Philip Rivers in the 2004 draft. To make matters worse, Brees tore his labrum during the regular season in 2005 and saw his value to the franchise drop. Once the 2005 off-season came rolling around, the Chargers offered Brees a $50 million dollar contract but only $2 million was guaranteed.

Brees, of course, made the move to New Orleans and after setting the NFL record book on fire, as well as pocketing a Super Bowl ring, the Saints couldn’t have been happier with the way things ultimately played out. The Chargers though, have to be regretting their move.

There’s a good chance Rivers enters the Hall of Fame one day, but he simply doesn’t compare to Brees. Year in and year out, the Chargers were loaded with talent on both sides of the ball but especially on the offensive end. Just what exactly would Brees have done with all of that mouth-watering talent? We’ll never know but it’s likely the Chargers Super Bowl mantle wouldn’t be empty.