NC State Legend Philip Rivers will be Eligible for the Hall of Fame for the 1st Time in 2026

NC State Legend Philip Rivers will be eligible for the Hall of Fame for the 1st time in 2026, having been retired for 5 consecutive seasons.

There are 37 Quarterbacks currently in the Hall of Fame. For the sake of argument, let’s compare Rivers to the 9 modern era (retired post-1980) QB’s already inducted.

Dan Marino
John Elway
Jim Kelly
Troy Aikman
Steve Young
Brett Favre
Warren Moon
Kurt Warner
Payton Manning

To be honest, the lack of a Super Bowl ring, or even making it to a Super Bowl, is the only knock on Rivers’ Hall of Fame qualifications.

Even if that’s the one knock, numerous enshrined modern era Quarterbacks failed to put a ring on the finger. Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Warren Moon didn’t win a Super Bowl.

The former ACC Player of the Year was named to the Pro Bowl 8 times, which is more than Warner Aikman and Kelly.

Rivers has more career Touchdowns and Passing Yards than everyone except Manning and Favre. He has more Career Wins than Kelly, Moon, Aikman, Young and Warner.

The best Quarterback in NC State history ranks in the Top-10 in NFL history in numerous career statistical passing categories:

Passing Yards: 63,440 (6th)
Touchdown Passes: 421 (6th)
Completions: 5,277 (8th)
Wins: 134 (9th)