The Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Chargers are on opposite ends of the quarterback spectrum. While the Browns have five QBs on the roster, the Chargers have one clear-cut answer in Justin Herbert. This year, four quarterbacks, excluding the out-for-the-season Deshaun Watson, are trying to make their case for becoming QB1 in Cleveland.
Even with that, there is no certainty that the organization has found its franchise quarterback for the present and the future. Thanks to the positioning of his franchise, Los Angeles legend Philip Rivers made some thinly veiled shots at the Browns for the way they have handled their quarterback situation.
Philip Rivers Compares Chargers and Browns QB Situation
Philip Rivers came into the league as the fourth-overall pick in 2004 to the New York Giants before being traded for Eli Manning. Over a 17-year career, he solidified himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks of his generation and a legend for the Chargers.
Earning eight Pro Bowl selections while leading the league in various metrics over the years, including passing yards, passing touchdowns, passer rating, and completion percentage, he was the stability LA needed.
But as he finished his tenure with the Chargers in 2019, he was immediately replaced by Herbert, whom Los Angeles drafted with the sixth overall pick in 2020. One of the most dynamic passers in football, he has had one of the most efficient starts to a career ever for a quarterback.
In that timeframe, the Browns have had more than 30 quarterbacks take the starter’s job, something Rivers has paid a keen eye to. Speaking about his love for his franchise and their new quarterback, Rivers made it clear, “I pull, like crazy, for the Chargers, and I pull for Justin Herbert.”
When explaining his reasoning, he added, “I think it’s awesome to say that I was able to be there for 16 years. Hopefully, he can go another 16. I’ve always thought it was cool, you look at the [Green Bay] Packers.”
Of course, Titletown is lauded for its pitch-perfect quarterback development that has allowed them to transition from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers and now Jordan Love. Unfortunately, it isn’t like the other team Rivers mentioned.
“You don’t want to go the Browns version, getting 30 starters in the last 25 years.”
WHOLESOME: #Chargers legend Philip Rivers talks about rooting for Justin Herbert.
“I was there 16 years. Hopefully Herbert can go another 16. Like the Packers, doing it right. Not like Browns with 30 starters. They nailed that pick. I’m pulling for him”pic.twitter.com/IFI6NKmzSh
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 5, 2025
For Cleveland, it is going to boil down to the choice they make over training camp. While they have a bona fide veteran and former Super Bowl Champion in Joe Flacco on the roster, their long-term stability is dependent on the contingency of Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel.
If any of those three names can pan out, then the Browns might finally put their quarterback problems to rest. Otherwise, it might become another search in the 2026 NFL Draft.
