Everett arrived in New Orleans. The Dome Patrol defense had largely been dismantled by 1994. Only Sam Mills remained on the Saints' roster by 1994, and that was Mills's final season, as he departed for the expansion Carolina Panthers the following year. Running backs Dalton Hilliard and Craig Heyward had also both left the Saints by 1994. Everett signed with the Chargers in June 1997. In his first start for San Diego, he defeated the Saints, 20–6, in his return to the Superdome. 1997 was his final NFL season. Over his career, Everett performed well enough to be among league leaders in several passing categories. His 203 touchdown passes rank 45th all-time, and his 34,837 passing yards are 33rd all-time. He also ranks 35th all-time in completions and 32nd all-time in pass attempts. On a year-to-year basis, he was among the top ten league leaders in pass attempts (seven times), completions (eight times), pass yards (seven times), and passing touchdowns (six, including leading the league twice). Everett's two postseason victories (both in 1989) tied him with Vince Ferragamo, James Harris, and Norm Van Brocklin for second-most playoff victories during the Rams' first stint in Los Angeles (as of 2018, it is now the third-most). Only Ferragamo had more wins (three) during the Rams' 49-year stint in Los Angeles. Kurt Warner's five playoff victories during the Rams' years in St. Louis have since superseded Ferragamo's record. Jim Rome altercation Following the 1989 regular season, Everett was reportedly "shellshocked" from the numerous times he was sacked and hit in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers (the 49ers won, 30–3). At one point in the game, Everett was so rattled that he collapsed to the ground in the pocket in anticipation of a sack, even though the 49ers' defensive players had not yet reached him, a play now known as Everett's "phantom sack". His struggle eventually led to a 1994 confrontation with then Talk2 host Jim Rome. Rome had regularly mocked Everett's aversion to taking hits on the field, mockingly referring to him as "Chris" Everett (a reference to female tennis player, Chris Evert). When Everett appeared as a guest on Talk2, Rome wasted no time, calling him "Chris". Everett dared Rome to repeat it to his face again, implying that a physical confrontation would ensue were Rome to do so. When Rome did it anyway, Everett overturned the table