The Indianapolis Colts are hoping the addition of quarterback Philip Rivers will spark change throughout the entire offense, especially for a lacking passing game from the 2019 season.
One of Rivers’ oldest teammates and favorite targets in tight end Antonio Gates believes the transition to Indy will be a successful one for the 38-year-old quarterback.
“Well, you’re talking about a guy, if you can protect him, it’s going to feel like 7-on-7 out there for him. Just because of what he can do from a mental standpoint and obviously there’s nothing he hasn’t seen at this point in his career,” Gates told Colin Cowherd, via Yahoo! Sports. “I actually think the transition of going to Indy was a good transition for him because of the history. Obviously, you have Frank (Reich) and you have the coordinators, the guys that have been with him in San Diego and if you can protect him, the sky is the limit in what that offense can do.”
Following the retirement of Andrew Luck just weeks before the 2019 season, the Colts went all-in on Jacoby Brissett. It didn’t work out all that well as Brissett failed to push the offense down the field consistently. That won’t be the case with Rivers, who had the third-most air yards in 2019.
Gates, who retired following the 2018 season, said he’s excited to see what Rivers can do given the supporting cast in Indy.
“I had the pleasure of watching [the Colts] last year. I knew they had a great defense and I knew they had a good running game,” Gates said. “Now, you had a guy like Philip to the passing game—a guy that can move the ball up and down the field—I’m excited. I’m excited for them, I’m excited to see what they’re going to do this year.”
The Colts are certainly hoping the $25 million arm of Rivers will produce in 2020, and his former teammate in Gates feels bullish about Indy’s prospects to be a contender.