Judge and Jury: Is Canton Next Stop for Philip Rivers?

Each week the Talk of Fame Two entertains three historians or media members and asks them to answer the Question du Jour. After hearing from them, a judge – in this case, Clark Judge -- will render a verdict based on their testimony. Today we consult three of our favorite historians on a question that Hall-of-Fame voters should face in three years:

Reports this week indicated that quarterback Philip Rivers might be interested in returing to the NFL ... until, that is, he quickly dismissed them. So, based on a 17-year career that ended after the 2020 season, do you think he's a Hall of Famer?

THE JURY

KEN CRIPPEN, historian and founder and host of the Football Learning Academy

“Fairly or unfairly, quarterbacks take the blame/credit for their team’s failures/success. Rivers had a losing record in the playoffs (5-7) and never made it to a Super Bowl. Yes, he threw for a lot of yards, but it did not translate to wins for his teams in the playoffs. He is currently ranked sixth all-time in passing yards, behind Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Ben Roethlisberger. But do we award bronze busts for passing yards? Where is Vinny Testaverde’s bronze bust? Drew Bledsoe? Kerry Collins? I say ‘no” to Rivers. However, I expect that he will be inducted.”

JOE ZAGORSKI, Pro Football Researchers Association

“There may be several reasons why a player retires from pro football and several reasons why he may contemplate returning to pro football. One reason why Philip River was rumored to think about returning to the NFL is that he never won a Super Bowl … and, like all players, that is paramount. But that turned out to be just another rumor. Rivers confirmed his plan to stay retired. However, he may be unsure of his potential for making the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rest easy, Philip, and enjoy your retirement. Your 63,440 yards passing in 17 seasons of work rank sixth all-time in NFL history. True, you never hoisted a Lombardi Trophy, but your career passing yards should earn the approval of the discerning minds of Pro Football Hall-of-Fame voters. That Hall-of-Fame jacket that you are destined to wear should fit nicely.”

RUSELL BAXTER, historian and founder of Pro Football Guru

“I believe Philip Rivers will wind up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame … eventually. Unlike his contemporaries in the Draft Class of 2004, there is no post-season success for Rivers to fall back on. There is durability … and reliability … and some impressive all-time numbers. However, I can see (from afar) his candidacy being debated on a yearly basis once he is eligible. In other words, you could see several hung juries.”

THE VERDICT

Baxter's right about hung juries. There's already one here. But Crippen is right, too. Like it or not, the Pro Football Hall usually measures quarterbacks by rings. Granted, there are exceptions. But playoff performance matters, and Rivers only once made it to a conference championship game and never reached a Super Bowl. I know, that’s not all on him. He was a marvelous quarterback and one of the most decent people I’ve been around. He’s also one of the most courageous quarterbacks, and, yes, I was at the 2007 AFC championship game when he tried to overcome then-unbeaten New England on one leg. I have enormous respect and admiration for Philip Rivers. No question, Rivers will be in a Hall-of-Fame conversation. But, as Crippen pointed out, passing yards don’t earn you a pass to Canton. They’re a factor, but not a determining one. Rivers is one of coterie of individuals in the past 20-25 years to throw for a gazillion yards in a quarterback-friendly era. So do we let them all in? In a word: No. This isn’t the Fantasy Football Hall of Fame. Philip Rivers was an accomplished pro quarterback, and he deserves to be recognized … by the Hall of Very Good. But Canton? I don’t see it. So I’m overriding a divided jury.

The answer is No.