When Philip Rivers made his first start against the Bears in the 2007 season opener, his counterpart was Rex Grossman. That was 15 starting quarterbacks ago for the Bears.
Rex Grossman … Brian Griese … Kyle Orton …
Fast forward 13 seasons and Rivers will be making his 228th consecutive regular-season start in the NFL — 239 including playoff games — when the Colts face the Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field. It’s the longest active streak in the NFL and the second-longest for a quarterback in NFL history behind Brett Favre (321).
Rivers is a fitting opponent for Nick Foles’ first start with the Bears. His durability and dependability is a stark contrast to the Bears’ inability to sustain anything at quarterback throughout the Super Bowl era. Since Rivers started against the Bears in 2007 — a 14-3 Chargers victory, with running back LaDainian Tomlinson throwing the only touchdown pass of the game — the Bears have changed starting quarterbacks 31 times.
Jay Cutler … Todd Collins … Caleb Hanie …
In fact, when Nick Foles starts for the Bears on Sunday against the Colts, it’ll mark the sixth time just in the Matt Nagy era the Bears have started a different quarterback than the previous game. Their longest string of quarterback starts in the Rivers era is 23 games — by Grossman in 2006-07. Their longest streak in the Super Bowl era is 43 games by Bob Avellini (1976-78).
Rivers started every game for the Chargers for 13 consecutive seasons from 2007-19. In that span, a Bears quarterback has started every game in a season just once — Jay Cutler in 2009. In fact, a Bears quarterback has started every game just five times in the last 40 years — Vince Evans (1981), Jim Harbaugh (1991), Erik Kramer (1995) and Grossman (2006) are the others.
Josh McCown … Jason Campbell … Jimmy Clausen …
But Philip Rivers keep on rollin’. After the Chargers declined to offer him a contract following last season, the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback signed with the Colts in free agency and is still productive at 37. His 217 passing yards in a 36-7 victory over the Giants on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium gave him 60,065 for his career — sixth on the all-time list. His 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mo Alie-Cox in the second quarter was the 400th of his career — also sixth on the all-time list. His 95.1 career passer rating is 10th all-time.
“I think that’s the biggest part — the significance of his durability at his age to have the success he’s had,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said. “I have a lot of respect for him. I was able to coach him in the Pro Bowl when I was in Kansas City, so I got to know him a little bit there. You just have a fond respect for him.”
Brian Hoyer … Matt Barkley … Mike Glennon ...
Rivers toughness is unquestioned. In 2008, he played in the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots six days after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee.
But even Rivers acknowledges there’s luck involved. Jay Cutler was every bit as tough as an NFL quarterback, but still suffered injuries that kept him out of a game in six of his eight seasons with the Bears. One of the biggest, in fact, came against Rivers and the Chargers in 2011 — a broken thumb Cutler suffered trying to make a tackle after throwing an interception.
Rivers has had his share of trials in his NFL career — despite the 60,065 yards and 400 touchdowns, he’s 125-102 (.551) as a starter in his career. But he has avoided the serious injuries that have crippled other quarterbacks.
Mitch Trubisky … Chase Daniel … Nick Foles …
“After all these years, he’s still productive,” Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said. “His accuracy and decision-making is off the charts. So it’s amazing. He’s a great competitor. He loves to compete and he loves to play.”
