Make the decision to backing out It is the most difficult for any player, but at the same time a measure that everyone wants to take on time, when they left a good impression on the grid with the last thing they had in the tank and not in full decline as sometimes happens. The season 2020 It may have been the last for three NFL Hall of Fame quarterbacks: Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger y Philip Rivers.
Injuries, ups and downs, the qualities offered by the new generations of quarterbacks and especially age are factors that have in the air the future of these stars, who have excelled in the league for, at least, the last 15 campaigns. All three quarterbacks managed to command their teams to the playoffs, but they fell by the wayside. Two of them surpassed by youngsters (Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen) with an aptitude that has become vital in the field: mobility.
Although everything seems to indicate that Brees played his last game as a professional in the divisional round against Tampa Bay, the New Orleans player mentioned that he will take some time to think about it: “I’m going to give myself the opportunity to think about the season, to think about many things, as I did the last year and I will make a decision, ”he said.
Photo: AFP
After the defeat against the BuccaneersThe veteran went to the locker room with great feeling, he sent kisses to the fans in the stands and before entering the tunnel he took a moment to turn to see perhaps for the last time the lawn of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome; his home since 2006. During the campaign he had 11 broken ribs and a damaged lung, which further complicates the option of seeing him back. An extra motivation for preferring retirement is his contract that he has already signed with the NBC network to become an analyst.
The legendary quarterback of the Saints will be immortalized in Canton, Ohio, in his first opportunity thanks to his performance for years and the multiple records he holds. More yards per pass (80,358), second in touchdowns (571), seasons with more than five thousand yards (5), among many others.
For its part, Ben Roethliberger he shone with the Steelers for more than half of 2020. The franchise was the last to lose undefeated (11-0) and seemed on track to at least reach the AFC Championship Game; however, Pittsburgh collapsed; they lost five of their last six meetings, including their wild-card debacle against Cleveland.
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Photo: Mexsport
68 passes, 501 yards and four touchdown passes sound like incredible numbers for him. Big BenBut he threw three interceptions in just over two quarters, and the 28-0 for the Browns early in the game became an untraceable scoreboard. In the end, four shipments were stolen, and the franchise said a bitter goodbye to its audience at Heinz Field.
In mid-December it emerged that Big Ben plans to return, but the outlook looks more complicated than it is believed. The impact of his contract for 2021 will be 41 million dollars, the highest in the NFL. Due to the pandemic, the salary cap in the league will drop from $ 198 million to $ 175 million. Pittsburgh will face that problem and cutting off its quarterback would fix its finances.
A contract restructuring is another option, but with a large brood of pins in the Draft, they are expected to look for their next franchise player. The image of a Ben Roethlisberger who breaks down in tears at the painful elimination, sitting on the bench next to his center Maurkice Pouncey, who has been his teammate for 10 years, could be his last dress in black and yellow.
The story of Philip Rivers differs with that of Brees and Big Ben. The former Chargers quarterback was able to end his career a year ago, but he still felt fit to play and the Colts, a complete set in all areas except at quarterback, gave him the opportunity.
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Photo: AFP
The veteran responded by guiding them to the playoffs. Against Buffalo he played a good game, but some details at the time of executing such as lack of precision in a fourth and goal coupled with their limited mobility or ability to improvise, they ended up with Indianapolis. Once again, general manager Chris Ballard faces the dilemma of retaining the veteran, seeking a trade, signing a free agent, or taking a quarterback into the collegiate draft.
The graduate of the NC State University he has become a man of steel; accumulates 240 regular phase matches as a starter without interruption. Not even a foot injury kept him from playing every game with Indy. Perhaps the greatest display of his toughness was when he played in the 2008 AFC Championship with a torn ligament.
VIDEO: Brady throws a touchdown pass to Drew Brees’ son
Rivers is clear about his future, after the clash against the Bills he said: “If God wants me to continue in Indy with the Colts, I’ll be here, if not, I’ll be on the bench with a cap on my head training.”
If the three legends put an end to their careers, they will have played their last game in the playoffs stage, which reflects the constancy that characterized their careers. All three have brands of all kinds that will last for years in the league.
DREW BREES
AGE: 42 YEARS
YARDS: 80,358
TD PASSES: 571
CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (Super Bowl XLIV)
“Brees is a great player. I’ve known him for a long time, I’ve always had great respect for him ”. TOM BRADY
AM ROETHLISBERGER
AGE: 38 YEARS
YARDS: 60,348
TD PASSES: 396
CAMPEONATOS: 2 (Super Bowls XL y XLIII)
“Ben has the attitude of not breaking down. He keeps his eyes on the field. He will stand strong in the pocket and throw the ball. ” JJ WATT
PHILIP RIVERS
AGE: 39 YEARS
YARDS: 63,440
TD PASSES: 421
CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
“I’ve always liked playing against Philip. Well, I’m lying. I don’t always like to face it. I have a lot of respect for him ”. VON MILLER
