Philip Rivers has advanced in his first chance to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The legendary Chargers quarterback was included among the 52 modern-era nominees who advanced for Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 that was announced on Wednesday.
Rivers, who spent 16 seasons with the Bolts, announced his retirement as a Charger in July. He is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time.
An eight-time Pro Bowler, Rivers holds more than 30 Chargers records and led the Bolts to four straight AFC West titles from 2006-09. And, of course, there are his 224 consecutive starts at quarterback.
He is the franchise leader in nearly every possible statistical passing category, including yards (59,271), touchdowns (397), completions (4,908) and attempts (7,591).
Rivers also orchestrated 32 game-winning drives and 28 fourth-quarter comebacks. It all added up to 123 wins as the Chargers starting quarterback, a number that obviously ranks first in team history.
Former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees is also among the 52 nominees. Brees, who spent the majority of his career with the Saints, was a 2001 second-round pick by the Chargers and started 58 games for the Bolts.
Brees ranks second all-time with 80,358 passing yards and 571 touchdown passes.
A pair of other former Chargers — safety Rodney Harrison and fullback Lorenzo Neal — also advanced in the voting process.
Drafted by the Chargers in 1994, Harrison spent nine seasons with the team and was a Pro Bowl selection twice during his tenure. A two-time Super Bowl champion later in his career and two-time First-Team All-Pro, he helped set the modern standard for safeties across the league. He will go into the Chargers Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Neal had the most successful tenure of his career with the team over his five seasons. Blocking for Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, Neal was a driving force for the success those Bolts team had running the ball during that time period. A member of the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s, Neal is recognized as one best modern fullbacks in recent history.
A selection committee will reduce the list to 25 semifinalists later in the fall.
The list of 15 finalists will be announced before Super Bowl LX before the Class of 2026 is unveiled in February.
