Los Angeles Chargers · Franchise era 5 of 7
Tomlinson, Gates and Rivers: the Los Angeles Chargers story
Franchise era
2001—2009
Tomlinson, Gates and Rivers
Los Angeles Chargers
The story in one sentence
Tomlinson's MVP records and a loaded roster produced five division titles, but injuries and close losses repeatedly blocked a Super Bowl.
An extraordinary core dominates the regular season
LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the final san diego seasons.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2001
What came before
Seau became the emotional center of the franchise and the 1994 Chargers won three straight playoff games to reach Super Bowl XXIX.
April 24, 2004
The draft-day swap that defined two franchises
The Giants paid a premium to resolve the standoff. The Chargers converted one selection into a quarterback, a kicker and a future All-Pro pass rusher.
04Draft-night standoffApril 24, 2004NYG⇄SDEli–Rivers draft swapSan Diego selected Eli Manning first despite his refusal to play there, then sent him to New York for Philip Rivers and three more picks.5 assets · 4 outcomes＋
The original receipt
New York Giants received
- • Draft rights to Eli Manning · No. 1
San Diego Chargers received
- • Draft rights to Philip Rivers · No. 4
- • 2004 third · No. 65
- • 2005 first · No. 12
- • 2005 fifth · No. 144
Manning won two Super Bowl MVPs in New York; Rivers became the statistical face of the Chargers for 16 seasons.
Open full trade tree →2008-01-13
Divisional Round: San Diego Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts
2008-01-20
Conference Championship: San Diego Chargers vs New England Patriots
2009-01-03
Wild Card: Indianapolis Colts vs San Diego Chargers
After 2009
What came next
Rivers remained prolific as the roster turned over and the franchise prepared to leave the city that had housed it for 56 years.
The core