Eli Manning and Philip Rivers will forever be linked.
The first two quarterbacks taken in the 2004 NFL Draft were traded for each other when Manning refused to play for the then-San Diego Chargers. So, after the Chargers took Manning with the No. 1 overall pick, they traded him to the New York Giants for Rivers.
Since that day, the two have met on the field only twice. Their third meeting is Sunday amidst unforeseen circumstances.
Manning and Rivers have led exceptional careers that may lead both to the Hall of Fame. They were expected to add to their cases in 2017 as the Giants were hailed as Super Bowl contenders while the Chargers were popular darkhorse picks to be in the conversation as well.
Yet, both clubs enter Week 5 at 0-4, unfamiliar territory for the quarterbacks.
Manning and Rivers enjoyed plenty of success during their first 13 seasons. They rank seventh and 11th, respectively, in career passing yards; sixth and ninth, respectively, in completions; and seventh and eighth in passing touchdowns.
There's no need to look elsewhere for evidence the draftmates will remain connected.
"I think obviously you're always going to be linked," Rivers said this week. "I've gotten to know Eli a little bit over the years, and have always pulled for him and respected the career he's had. So yeah, it's always fun. I think he would probably say the same thing, you're not playing the other quarterback. But certainly he and I going back to that draft, you're always going to be linked."
Rivers led the Chargers to the playoffs in four of his first six seasons as the team's starter. Across the country, Manning won Super Bowls in 2007 and 2011, being named MVP in both appearances.
Though Manning has enjoyed more team success, he admitted to keeping an eye on his draft brethren, including No. 11 pick Ben Roethlisberger.
"In one way, I think you are always proud of your draft class, and you take some pride in your draft class and especially the other quarterbacks," Manning said this week, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. "I guess after a few years you start seeing that Ben is doing well, and Phil is doing well and doing some good thing. I think you root for those guys in a sense, because you hope that your draft class will be talked about as a special one, and a lot of times they talk about the quarterbacks."
They're now firmly in the back ends of their careers. The Giants drafted Manning's possible successor, Davis Webb, in this year's draft and Rivers has conceded the Chargers will likely do the same in short order.
Both franchise quarterbacks turn 36 this year, another signal that their time at the helm is running short.
Rivers has gotten the better of Manning the last two times they met. On Sunday, they'll have a unique opportunity to essentially end the other's season.
"I guess there's a chance, unless we both make it to that game in February, this could be the last time he and I play each other, who knows?" Rivers said. "I don't know if we'll both be rolling four years from now. We'll see, I guess."
