Though it isn’t official until the ink touches the paper, the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Philip Rivers agreed to a one-year contract on Tuesday, giving Indy an upgrade at the game’s most important position.
How much of an upgrade Rivers will be over Jacoby Brissett remains to be seen but on paper it looks like a win. Even with guaranteeing $25 million to a 38-year-old quarterback, the signing is being perceived as a positive move for the Colts.
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In terms of grading the move, Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield of Touchdown Wire gave the Rivers signing a top grade.
This was the best possible result for all involved. Rivers gets a one-year, “prove-it” deal for $25 million, which allows him to eradicate the memories of a 2019 season in which he was more trouble than anybody expected from a situational turnover standpoint. Last season, per Sports Info Solutions, six of Rivers’ 20 interceptions came in the final two minutes of games. That is no way to win anything.
But in head coach Frank Reich’s offense, Rivers will be more closely managed, and Reich knows how to bring a quarterback’s strengths to the table. Reich was also the Chargers’ quarterbacks coach in 2013, and the team’s offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015, so he’s been with Rivers when the quarterback has both completed nearly 70% of his passes (2013), and when he’s led the league in interceptions (2014). Nothing about Rivers will surprise Reich. Rivers will be involved in more quick passing with the edict that he can still let it rip downfield if he brings his brains along with him, and the Colts will get more big plays out of Rivers than they did out of Jacoby Brissett. Rivers may have a few seasons left at age 38; this will be a “prove-it” year in every possible fashion.
After a disappointing season from Jacoby Brissett, the Colts felt it pertinent to make a change at quarterback. Reich has plenty of experience working with Rivers as the two spent three seasons together with the Chargers (2013–2015).
Rivers’ aggressive mindset will be a nice change of pace in what was a lacking passing offense. He isn’t without his concerns, though. His arm strength is certainly declining while his pocket mobility will essentially negate any zone reads Reich has in his playbook.
Even at 38 years old, Rivers can get the Colts to compete for a playoff spot. This move doesn’t make them Super Bowl contenders, but it at least gives them a chance to make a run for the postseason.
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