LOS ANGELES _ After 16 seasons and 235 consecutive starts, Philip Rivers will not be the Chargers quarterback in 2020.
The team announced Monday that the sides were mutually parting ways, ending a relationship that began on April 24, 2004, when the Chargers acquired Rivers from the New York Giants in a draft-day deal that included Eli Manning.
Owner Dean Spanos called Rivers "the heart and soul of our organization" in a statement. He also praised the veteran quarterback for his ability to connect with fans.
"There's only one Philip Rivers, and we've been fortunate to call him our QB1 for the better part of two decades," Spanos said. "We cannot thank Philip enough for giving it his all on every single down and for the memories he created that will last a lifetime."
Rivers was the backup to Drew Brees during his first two NFL seasons. After Brees departed for New Orleans in free agency in March of 2006, Rivers took over as the starter.
He held the job for each of the Chargers' 224 regular-season and 11 playoff games since and is the franchise leader in more than 30 categories, including passing yards and touchdowns.
"I never took for granted the opportunity to lead this team out on to the field for 235 games," Rivers said. "We had a lot of great moments, beginning in San Diego and then finishing in L.A. I wish my teammates and coaches nothing but the best moving forward."
At 38, Rivers will become an unrestricted free agent in March and hopes to continue playing next season.
The Chargers have two quarterbacks _ backup Tyrod Taylor and 2019 fifth-round pick Easton Stick _ under contract. They are expected to draft another quarterback in April and have the No. 6 overall selection.
Another possibility could be Tom Brady, the longtime New England Patriot who also is set to become a free agent next month. If Brady does become available, the Chargers are believed to be one of his preferred destinations.
Throughout much of 2019, the Chargers and Rivers operated under the belief that he'd re-sign for at least one more year, particularly with the team now moving into the new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Rivers put together back-to-back efficient and productive seasons after Anthony Lynn took over as head coach. In 2018, the Chargers finished 12-4 and advanced to the playoffs, winning a wild-card game in Baltimore.
But Rivers struggled with turnovers this last season, finishing with 20 interceptions, matching the second-highest total of his career. He also lost three fumbles.
Still, as late as early December, it appeared the Chargers were willing to stick with Rivers. That position eventually changed as the team lost six of its final seven games to finish 5-11 and winless in the AFC West.
"After stepping back a bit from last season, we reconnected with Philip and his representatives to look at how 2019 played out," general manager Tom Telesco said. " ... As we talked through various scenarios, it became apparent that it would be best for Philip and the Chargers to turn the page on what has truly been a remarkable run."
Rivers is an eight-time Pro Bowler who led the Chargers to the playoffs six times, winning five of 11 postseason games.
The team reached the AFC championship in 2007, losing 21-12 to New England. That was the only time Rivers and the Chargers advanced beyond the divisional round.
"I've said before that Philip can still compete at a top-starter level and, in a perfect world, No. 17 is your quarterback forever," Telesco said. "Obviously, we live in an imperfect world where the only constant is change. I think Philip's tremendous perspective, both when it comes to football and when it comes to life, helped lend clarity to a very complex situation."
Rivers' name already has been linked to Indianapolis, the Colts coached by former Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
His 224 consecutive regular-season starts are a franchise-best and the third longest total since 1970, trailing Brett Favre (297) and Bruce Matthews (229).
Considered a likely Hall of Famer, Rivers ranks sixth all-time in the NFL in passing yards, completions and passing touchdowns.
Moving forward for the Chargers, Taylor would give the offense a more mobile quarterback and a veteran with plenty of experience.
He was the starter for three years with Buffalo in 2015-17, helping the Bills reach the playoffs during his final season there. Taylor, 30, is 23-21-1 as an NFL starter.
Stick was inactive for all 16 games in 2019 and is considered more of a longer-term project.
Among the top quarterbacks available in the upcoming draft, the Chargers have been most frequently connected with Justin Herbert, who played for four years at Oregon.
Wherever the team now turns for its next starting quarterback, a prominent era of Chargers football officially ended Monday.
"In anything you do, it's the people you do it with that make it special," Rivers said. "There are so many relationships and memories with coaches, support staff and teammates that will last forever, and for that I am so thankful. ... I'm not sure what the future holds, but my family and I look forward to seeing what God has planned for us next."
