Chargers Legends Rank Among Best Players Without a Super Bowl

The Chargers powder blue uniforms are, in my opinion, the greatest of all time. The first player I think of with those uniforms will always be LaDainian Tomlinson.

Unfortunately, the Hall-of-Famer never made a Super Bowl appearance during his 11-year career, 9 of which came in San Diego. The Chargers have only made one appearance in the big game in franchise history.

Unfortunately, they were blown out by Steve Young and the 49ers 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX. Young’s record of 6 touchdown passes in a Super Bowl still stands today.

On Friday, Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports compiled a list of the 30 best players without a Super Bowl. The Chargers were well-represented, as quarterback Philip Rivers and linebacker Junior Seau joined Tomlinson as the three Chargers included on the list.

The Chargers’ All-Time Leading Passer, Philip Rivers, Barely Made the List at No. 29

Bills quarterback Josh Allen became the newest member of the list this year, as the 3-time Pro Bowler, 2-time 2nd-Team All-Pro and now 1-time MVP fell just short against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship once again in 2024. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers slots in just ahead of Allen at No. 29.

Rivers didn’t rack up many individual accolades during his time with the Chargers, earning a CPoY nod in 2013. But, he still managed to earn 8 Pro Bowl nods and lead the league 1 time in touchdown passes (34 – 2008), passing yards (4,710 – 2010) and completion percentage (69.5% – 2013). He ultimately didn’t end up re-signing with the Chargers in 2020, playing his final season in Indianapolis.

Rivers racked up plenty of counting stats, as he’s currently No. 6 all-time in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. But the Chargers legend never reached a Super Bowl during his time with the team. San Diego came tantalizingly close during the 2007 season, but ultimately fell short against the then-undefeated Patriots.

“In defeat, Rivers put forth a gamely effort against the then-undefeated Patriots in the 2007 AFC title game,” writes DeArdo. “Playing with a torn ACL, Rivers played every snap and kept the Chargers in the game.”

Their All-Time Leading Rusher, LaDainian Tomlinson, Appeared in the Top 10 at No. 9

There are few players who reached the heights that LaDainian Tomlinson reached during his time with the Chargers. Over a 5-year stretch from 2003-2007, Tomlinson racked up 7,731 yards and 91 touchdowns.

Only Emmitt Smith can rival those numbers, as he racked up 8,019 yards and 85 touchdowns from 1991-1995. I’d say the NFL’s all-time leading rusher is pretty good company to keep.

During LaDainian Tomlinson’s MVP season in 2006, the Chargers running back set an NFL record with a preposterous 31 touchdowns. 28 of those came on the ground, which was also a record. As a cherry on top, he also threw for 2 touchdowns.

That 2006 season was Tomlinson’s best chance at a Super Bowl, according to DeArdo, but the Chargers fell short. Despite the best playoff performance of his career – and shockingly, his only 100-yard rushing performance in the playoffs – he and the 14-2 Chargers were upset by the Patriots during the Divisional Round.

“The Chargers led 14-3 before falling victim of a vintage Tom Brady comeback,” despite Tomlinson’s 187 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“Had they won that game, the Chargers would have hosted Peyton Manning’s Colts in the AFC title game,” writes DeArdo. “The Chargers, not the Colts, likely would have defeated the Bears in the Super Bowl had they been able to get past Indianapolis.”

The Chargers’ All-Time Leading Tackler, Junior Seau, Joined LT in the Top 10 at No. 7

Speaking of those undefeated Patriots, Junior Seau’s best chance at a Super Bowl came during his time in New England. Unfortunately, the Patriots high-powered offense fell flat and their defense fell victim to one of the most memorable plays in NFL history: David Tyree’s helmet catch.

The 2007 Patriots were the highest-scoring offense in NFL history at the time. But, a stifling Giants pass rush held New England to just 274 total yards and 14 points.

During his 13 seasons with the Chargers, Seau racked up nearly 1,500 tackles, 47 sacks, 16 fumble recoveries and 15 interceptions. He earned all of his accolades as a Charger, making 12 straight Pro Bowls following his rookie season. The 9-time All-Pro (6 First-Team, 3 Second-Team) also finished in the top-7 in Defensive Player of the Year voting 4 times (1992, 1994, 1998 and 1999).

“Arguably the NFL’s best defensive player throughout the 1990s, Seau was the best player on a Chargers team that made an unexpected Super Bowl run in 1994,” writes DeArdo. “That remains the Chargers’ only appearance in the big game.”

Seau tied for the team lead with 10 tackles in the Super Bowl, registering 1 of the team’s 3 sacks against Steve Young. Young ultimately had the last laugh, though, as they blew out the Chargers 49-26, as I mentioned above.

By the time he retired for good following the 2009 season, Seau had completed a 20-year career and cemented his place among the greatest outside linebackers in NFL history. Unfortunately, the Chargers legend never reached the mountaintop as a Super Bowl champion.