The 2022 season will mark three years since Philip Rivers was a member of the LA Chargers and despite being the best quarterback in franchise history, fans still have not gotten a moment to thank Rivers for his time with the Bolts.
Fans have been patiently waiting for Rivers to sign a one-day contract to retire as a Charger after he spent one year away from the team with the Indianapolis Colts. There was speculation that Rivers could return down the stretch for a needy team last season, but with an entire year in the books with him not playing, it is safe to say his NFL career is undoubtedly over.
Rivers may not have ever fully embraced being LA's quarterback like he did for San Diego but he still deserves a massive send-off from the Chargers in front of a home crowd at SoFi Stadium. Plus, we can all finally get that Philip Rivers-Justin Herbert interaction that we have been waiting for.
The Chargers could give Philip Rivers the perfect send-off if they host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.
The 2022 schedule is being released this week and the one tidbit that we do know about the Chargers' schedule is that they are on the road on Thursday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.
With the team on the road on a short week in Week 2, it is safe to say that they are likely going to get a home game in Week 1. Of the eight opponents that the Chargers will play at home this season, the Raiders would give Rivers' the perfect send-off.
Not only were the Raiders Rivers' biggest rival throughout his career, but Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is going to mark a very specific date for Rivers' career. The Sunday slate of Week 1 games will be played on September 11, 2022.
Philip Rivers made his first career NFL start exactly 16 years to the date on September 11, 2006... against the Raiders. What better way to give Rivers his send-off as a Charger than against his biggest rival exactly 16 years to the date that he made his first-ever start before becoming the best quarterback in team history?
Hosting the Raiders would create the perfect scenario but the Chargers could really do this regardless of who they host in Week 1 (assuming they do in fact get a home game). This is such an easy connection to make to honor Rivers and what better way to kick off the most anticipated year in recent franchise history than by honoring Rivers and everything he did for the team.
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The focus in LA might be on Justin Herbert and his ascension in becoming the best quarterback in the NFL but Chargers fans have not forgotten about Philip Rivers and definitely want to give him his flowers.