Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has ended his 16-year run with the organization, according to an article by Fox News.

Rivers and the team released a statement on Monday that they agreed to mutually part ways, in wake of a report that Rivers and his family were relocating from the Southern California to Florida.

In a statement on the team's website, Rivers expressed his gratitude to team owner Dean Spanos, the Spanos family and the Chargers organization who shared with him the last 16 years of his career. "In anything you do, it's the people you do it with that make it special," he 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."

Rivers also said he never took for granted the opportunity to lead the team out on to the field for 235 games.

"We had a lot of great moments, beginning in San Diego and then finishing in LA. I wish my teammates and coaches nothing but the best moving forward."

"I'm not sure what the future holds, but my family and I look forward to seeing what God has planned for us next." He concluded.

Fox News described Rivers as "one of the best quarterbacks to have ever played for the Chargers." The 38-year old player has started in every game since taking over as the starting quarterback during the 2006 season. Rivers made played in Pro Bowl for eight times and was hailed as the 2013 AP Comeback Player of the Year. However, the Chargers never advanced to the Super Bowl with Rivers as the quarterback.

In the 2004 NFL Draft, the Chargers then based in San Diego, traded Eli Manning for Philip Rivers who used to play for the New York Giants. Rivers threw for 59,271 passing yards and 397 touchdowns in 228 games.

"Through 16 seasons, 224 consecutive starts and more 'dadgummits' and 'shoots' than any of us can count, not only has Philip Rivers been our quarterback, he's been the heart and soul of our organization," Spanos said in a statement. "He wore a bolo tie and cowboy boots to games. He introduced us to 'Nunc Coepi.' He always went out of his way to interact with the fans, and he even made fans of nuns. Over the years, I think he broke just about every team record in the book and, simply put, it was just fun to watch him play football.

"There's only one Philip Rivers, and we've been fortunate to call him our QB1 for the better part of two decades. 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."

As Rivers moves to Florida, he is now set to hit the free agent marketplace. With the threat of retirement, where could he fit in an NFL landscape swamped with experienced passers and an influx of solid young prospects? According to SB Nation, here are the possible choices, based on various criteria:

  • The best offense for Rivers' skills: Cleveland Browns
  • The best combination of need and playmaking talent: Indianapolis Colts
  • The best landing spot to win a Super Bowl: Chicago Bears
  • The best opportunity to jumpstart a rebuild: Carolina Panthers
  • The best opportunity to annoy everyone in the NFL: New England Patriots
  • The most realistic landing spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Compared to the Colts or Bears, the Buccaneers can't offer as much playoff readiness, but they can surround an aging quarterback with a proven, offensively-minded head coach and a receiving corps that can turn Rivers' risks downfield into big plays.

With seven out of ten chance, the Buccaneers may be River's best chance if he wants to play and restore his value in 2019. Additionally, the location is still favorable since it's one commute from home.