Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers will be taking over the Indianapolis Colts offense for at least 2020 campaign and is looking to put the doubts of a declining career behind him.
One of the biggest concerns in Rivers’ profile from the 2019 season was the fact that he threw 20 interceptions, which was tied for the second-highest mark of his career. We know Rivers is a gunslinger under center, someone who doesn’t mind forcing a ball into a tight window.
It didn’t work out for him much in 2019, but offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni still sees an accurate quarterback who can carry a team when he’s on.
“He’s still really accurate, he’s still (got) really great feet in the pocket, so, yeah, it’s just good seeing him again in person, throwing the football — when he’s hot, and he’s throwing the ball, he’s so accurate, and it’s always so nice to see him and’ the ball being right on where it’s supposed to be,” Sirianni told Colts.com. “I mean, he could hit this doorknob right here from 50 yards back right where you wanted him to hit it and lock the door doing it somehow, so that’s awesome to see, and it’s just good being back around him and excited to have him here.”
After a down year in the passing game with Jacoby Brissett under center, the Colts made it a point to go after Rivers hard in free agency. They gave him a one-year deal with $25 million fully guaranteed to go along with the chance of working with his former offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
A lot of pressure will be on the aging right shoulder of Rivers, who is just two years removed from being in the MVP conversation following his stellar 2018 campaign. But which Rivers will the Colts get? That’s the biggest question.
All offseason, the Colts coaching staff has commended Rivers as the perfect stop-gap until they find their future quarterback, and they continue to praise his accuracy entering his 17th season.