Colts Interested In Philip Rivers

Rumored as a Colts fit for multiple reasons, Philip Rivers does appear to be on Indianapolis’ radar. The team has interest in the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).

Rivers remains close to ex-Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich and former Bolts quarterbacks coach Nick Sirianni. Those two now serve as the Colts’ HC-OC tandem. Many around the league expect Rivers to end up with the Colts, Rapoport adds.

GM Chris Ballard said at the 2019 season’s conclusion Jacoby Brissett‘s future as the team’s starter is uncertain. Jim Irsay added that all options are on the table for the team, which lost franchise centerpiece Andrew Luck to a surprising retirement last August. The Colts signed Brissett to a two-year, $30MM extension. He is on Indianapolis’ books at $21MM and would cost the Colts $12.5MM in dead money to release him.

The Chargers announced they will not re-sign Rivers, who is coming off his worst season in at least seven years. The 38-year-old quarterback has said he wants to return for a 17th season, adding that he’s set a two-year window and would not make sense on a rebuilding team. While the Colts struggled last season, they voyaged to the AFC’s divisional round in 2018 with Luck.

Rivers sits sixth on the NFL’s all-time passing yards and touchdowns lists and finished seventh in QBR in 2018, when the Chargers went 12-4. For the most part, he played the past three seasons without a home-field advantage. The Colts also have a far superior offensive line compared to the Bolts, and it’s looking like free agent left tackle Anthony Castonzo is headed back to Indianapolis. The Colts could use help at wide receiver, but this situation would have some selling points for Rivers. Indianapolis’ $86MM-plus in cap space sits second in the league.

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