The best photos of Philip Rivers from the 2015 campaign.
Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Qualcomm Stadium, Chargers fall to the Seahawks 16-15 in the third Preseason Game of 2015
The Chargers fall short to the Broncos 27-20 in the final game of the 2015 season.
The Chargers battle the Cleveland Browns and take home a 30-27 victory, with a last second field goal
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers celebrates after wide receiver Tyrell Williams scored during the second half in an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins in the final home game of the 2015 season 30-14.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers watches during the second half in an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Chargers beat the Lions 33-28 in a comeback win for the regular season home opener.
Chargers lost to the Minnesota Vikings 31-14 in a week 3 battle.
Chargers beat the Lions 33-28 in a comeback win for the regular season home opener.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers smailes on the sideline during the second half in an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Chargers battle the Cleveland Browns and take home a 30-27 victory, with a last second field goal
The Chargers face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Monday Night Football showdown losing on the last play, 24-20
The Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins in the final home game of the 2015 season 30-14.
The Chargers take on the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau and lose in a close shootout 27-20
The Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins in the final home game of the 2015 season 30-14.
The Chargers fall short to the Broncos 27-20 in the final game of the 2015 season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) warms up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Chargers take on the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau and lose in a close shootout 27-20
The Chargers take on the Jaguars in a week 12 road game and snap a 6 game losing streak, winning 31-25
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) walks in the tunnel before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
The Chargers lose to the Chicago Bears in the Annual Salute to Service game on Monday Night Football, 22-19.
Chargers beat the Lions 33-28 in a comeback win for the regular season home opener.
The Chargers take on the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau and lose in a close shootout 27-20
The Chargers fall short to the Broncos 27-20 in the final game of the 2015 season.
Chargers beat the Lions 33-28 in a comeback win for the regular season home opener.
Chargers travel to Baltimore in week 8 but come up short losing with a last second field goal, 29-26
The Chargers fall short to the Broncos 27-20 in the final game of the 2015 season.
The Chargers take on the Jaguars in a week 12 road game and snap a 6 game losing streak, winning 31-25
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) argues a call with an official during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. The Chargers won 31-25. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Chargers battle the Raiders in the first divisional game of the season but fall short, 37-29
The Chargers take on the Jaguars in a week 12 road game and snap a 6 game losing streak, winning 31-25
Chargers beat the Lions 33-28 in a comeback win for the regular season home opener.
The Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins in the final home game of the 2015 season 30-14.
Chargers beat the Lions 33-28 in a comeback win for the regular season home opener.
The Chargers take on the Jaguars in a week 12 road game and snap a 6 game losing streak, winning 31-25
The Chargers lose to the Raiders 23-20 in a thrilling overtime game in Oakland.
The Chargers lose to the Raiders 23-20 in a thrilling overtime game in Oakland.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers watches on the sidelines during the first half in an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers wait to run on to the field before the first half in an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Everyone is familiar with Ken Whisenhunt's success as the Chargers' offensive coordinator in 2013.
The offense had one of their best seasons, bouncing back from a disappointing campaign the year before to rank fifth in yards per game (393.3), fourth in passing yards per game (270.5) and 13th in rushing yards per game (122.8). As a result, he was named the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
Between a strong relationship with Head Coach Mike McCoy and a number of players in the fold, there are many reasons why Whisenhunt decided to return as OC.
However, he listed one player above all else, and it's exactly who you'd think it to be.
"The one thing I'm most excited about is obviously Philip (Rivers), and the relationship and some of the things we were able to do. "
That relationship is well documented. In fact, last year some in the media speculated the Titans were attempting to trade for the quarterback in the lead up to the draft when he was Tennessee's head coach. Both teams fervently dismissed those rumors as having no merit, particularly the Chargers who insisted they had no interest in trading the franchise quarterback they reached a contract extension with a few months later.
Nonetheless, Whisenhunt is clearly pleased to be reunited with number 17 once again. It's easy to see why as he helped Rivers capture the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in their lone year together. The QB was a Pro Bowl pick in 2013 after completing a team-record and NFL leading 69.5% of his passes for 4,478 yards, 32 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions for a team-record tying 105.5 passer rating. He set a new franchise record at the time with 378 completions and set the all-time team mark with three 400-yard passing games.
As a result, it's no surprise that number 17 reached out to Whisenhunt early in the process.
"He just sent me a text and asked if I had any interest in coming back. Just kind of feeling me out. I was floored that Philip would take that time, and it really meant a lot to me."
Rivers isn't the only player Whisenhunt is happy to have back at his disposal, as he's eager to reunite with a more seasoned Keenan Allen. The wide receiver was voted the Pepsi Next Rookie of the Year in 2013 as he caught 71 passes for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns during his first year in the league. One particular memory stands out for Whisenhunt when talking about KA13.
"I know he had a tremendous year (this year) before he got injured. He really had some production. But I go back to 2013 when he was a rookie. I still remember the Thursday night game in Denver where he caught the ball, and five yards (from the goal line) ran and hurdled the guy into the end zone, which is a huge play. (I remember) how much he grew that first year and what an important piece of the offense he was as a young player. You always like to see young guys like that have success and continue to grow. He's an exciting young man, and I really enjoyed my time with him when we were here together. It's nice to see how he's progressed."
At the same time, the OC is determined to jumpstart a rushing attack that has been largely dormant the past two seasons. The Chargers finished 30th and 31st pounding the rock since Whisenhunt left, so he knows getting the running game going is paramount. While Ryan Mathews led the team in rushing during his first go-round with the Bolts, Whisenhunt is enthused to see what he can do with Melvin Gordon.
"Just like everybody else, when you're with another organization you do evaluations of players," he explained. "I was very impressed with what I saw of him as a college player coming out. We had a high pick, and we knew that potentially he was one of the players that you had to consider with that. I was very impressed with what I saw from him off his college tape. I know his rookie season probably didn't go the way he wanted it to go, but he's a very talented young man that I'm excited to work with."
While Gordon is a new face in the backfield, Whisenhunt knows one of his counterparts quite well. Danny Woodhead posted his best year at the time under his tutelage, totaling 1,034 yards from scrimmage, 76 catches and eight touchdowns.
"We got Danny the first year we were here, and gosh, what a great player he's become. He already was, but it's been so great working with him."
