The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.
Name: Philip Rivers
Position: QB
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 228
Age: 38
Experience: 17 seasons
Background
After spending the first 16 years of his career as the starting quarterback for the Chargers, the two parties mutually parted ways this offseason. In need of a quarterback after Jacoby Brissett’s disappointing 2019 season, the Colts signed Rivers to a one-year deal worth $25 million.
Both Rivers and the Colts have stated they hope this will be more than a one-year stint, but the NFL is unpredictable and it is best to cross that bridge when they get to it. Rivers has been a gun-slinger for most of his career and his coming off of a 2019 season in which he completed 66% of his passes for 4,615 yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
Expected Role
Rivers was signed to be the starting quarterback. If things go according to plan, he will start every game under center without missing any games. Even though the Colts are holding on to Brissett as the backup, they are going fully ahead with Rivers as the commander of the offense.
2020 Outlook
Through an offseason that has been a peculiar one for the league, Rivers will have to find a way to make the transition into the Colts offense without having the benefit of setting the foundation during the spring workouts. Fortunately for him, the offense run by Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni is one that Rivers is well-versed in.
Several coaches have stated that Rivers already knows the majority of the offense and that the biggest aspect he needs refinement in is the terminology. This will be important as Rivers is coming off of a down season in 2019. His 20 interceptions and 3.9% interception rate are both tied for the second-highest marks of his career.
With an elite offensive line, a run game that should be more explosive and some strong weapons in the passing game all around, Rivers has the opportunity to return to form in 2020. The only question is whether 2019 will be considered an outlier or a trend.
Bottom Line
The Colts made it clear they are trying to take advantage of the win-now window they have in front of them given the state of the roster. How far they will go in 2020 depends a lot on the 38-year-old arm of Rivers.