Philip Rivers was once traded for Eli Manning, and their careers have been linked ever since. Count Rivers among those not impressed with the Giants’ decision to bench the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback.
“I honestly thought it was pathetic,” Rivers told reporters at practice Wednesday in Los Angeles. “With [the] respect [Manning has] gained, I feel like he’s earned the opportunity to finish it off, finish off these last five weeks.”
The Giants announced Tuesday that Manning’s team-record consecutive starts streak will end Sunday at 210 when Geno Smith plays against the Raiders. Manning was offered the opportunity to start games for the rest of the season, but cede to Smith in second halves. He declined.
Now Rivers will assume the record for the most consecutive starts among active quarterbacks with 187 regular-season games. Matt Ryan is next with 126.
The organization was ridiculed for the move and how it was handled by former players and media types alike. Rivers was drafted by the Giants at No. 4 in the 2004 draft and then flipped to the Chargers, who had taken Manning at No. 1.