Chargers: Is this how Philip Rivers ends his career?

The Chargers are 2-4 and look as lost as ever. With no end to the misery in sight, is this how fans will remember the end of Philip Rivers’ career?

The Chargers have been fortunate to employ a tough quarterback with a quick release, but it’s becoming increasingly apparent their unwillingness to properly address the offensive line is now dooming Philip Rivers.

Yes, No. 17 is the one pulling the trigger. When Rivers tosses an interception, it was his decision to attempt that throw. At the end of Sunday’s game against the Steelers, Rivers chucked the ball up and hoped for Mike Williams to come up with a reception. Instead, it was picked off.

But those poor decisions stem from a failure to protect him. How does any quarterback respond, particularly a non-mobile one, when both offensive tackles are getting bullied every single rep?

Battered, abused, and even blamed for losses; this is how fans will watch the Philip Rivers era end.

And why should he seek to continue? Here’s the one area of the Chargers’ roster every fan can agree Tom Telesco has mostly ignored: The offensive line.

In August, Andrew Luck retired because football wasn’t fun for him anymore, and because of how battered and bruised he was during his career. They didn’t protect him, and even though the Colts finally put a line together to protect their franchise quarterback, it was too late. Rivers could, and maybe should, look to do the same.

It doesn’t matter who returns from injured reserve, or what kind of scheme change the Chargers make: This team is not designed to beat the New England Patriots, and they never will so long as they continue to neglect the offensive line.

It’s a shame for many fans, as this team (when healthy) is as talented as any in the AFC. Many fans, by the way, were absolutely convinced there was no possible way the Chargers would skip on an offensive tackle or offensive guard at the 28th pick.

The Chargers drafted Jerry Tillery to do one thing: Get after the quarterback. Particularly, Tom Brady, even more so than Patrick Mahomes. Here’s the issue: How can the Chargers ever get to Brady if they aren’t allowed on the same field because they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention?

So this is how it all looks to end for Rivers, who in my opinion should move on so the franchise can move on and begin anew as well. If the Chargers don’t want to protect their immobile quarterback, at least draft one who can improvise and make plays with his legs.

Which is awful. Chargers fans, like myself, are now hoping Rivers retires so he can be saved from the brutal beating he’s been forced to endure this season. Imagine that: We are hoping he hangs up the cleats so he can be saved from a general manager, coach, and coordinator with no burning desire to keep him alive.

This is truly the beginning of the end for No. 17, and it’s an incredible shame to watch how quickly it began. After 12-4, there was a chance Rivers could win a Super Bowl at the tail end of his career. Now, many are just hoping he makes it through the year healthy enough to play with his kids.