Philip Rivers (born December 8, 1981 in Decatur, Alabama) is an American football player who currently plays quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL.
Rivers was obtained in a draft-day trade with the New York Giants -- the Chargers drafted quarterback Eli Manning with the first overall pick, and subsequently traded him to the Giants in exchange for Rivers and some additional draft picks.
Due to protracted contract negotiations Rivers reported to the team very late in the pre-season process and as a result the Chargers gave incumbent quarterback Drew Brees the opportunity to retain his starting job at the beginning of the season. Unfortunately for Rivers, Brees went on to have by far the best season of his short career and by the end of the season Brees had been named to the NFL Pro Bowl and speculation runs rampant over whether or not Rivers would remain with the team and if so what his chances are of playing over the resurgent Brees.