The Indianapolis Colts are hoping the addition of Philip Rivers will bring about new life to the offense, but it is also up to his supporting cast to make a difference when they are given the opportunity.
Rivers has always enjoyed strong skill players around him during his days with the Chargers. His 2020 season with the Colts shouldn’t be much different, though there are a few more question marks at certain positions.
Bleacher Report ranked each quarterback’s supporting cast—excluding the offensive line—and the Colts came in 27th.
2019 Rank: 7
The surprise retirement of Andrew Luck last season exposed many of the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive flaws. With the duo of Jacoby Brissett and Brian Hoyer at quarterback, the Colts’ lack of depth at wide receiver behind T.Y. Hilton became readily apparent. Sophomore Parris Campbell and rookie Michael Pittman Jr. can potentially bolster the group, but they are both unproven.
Tight end Jack Doyle is serviceable, but he isn’t a game-breaker, and the Colts allowed Eric Ebron to walk in free agency following a disappointing season sans Luck. Fresh off his own disappointing 84-yard season in Chicago, Trey Burton will replace Ebron.
The one high-end area of the offense is at running back, where Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins and rookie Jonathan Taylor have the potential to be one of the league’s better committee backfields.
This group has a chance to take a big step forward with Philip Rivers under center instead of Brissett. However, there are serious questions at receiver behind Hilton and at tight end.
While Rivers may be able to elevate the talent level of this group, the Colts may again heavily rely on the run in 2020.
While excluding the offensive line seems odd as that unit holds a major role in the success of a quarterback, the Colts do have some question marks when it comes to their skill players.
That said, there is plenty of potential that several of the new additions will have an immediate impact. The rookies in Pittman Jr. and Taylor should have roles upon arrival while Burton will work more as a complementary tight end to Doyle.
Rivers has some fine weapons around him for the 2020 season and while there are some question marks, the upside of the unit is easily attainable.