Philip

Rivers

Eisen didn’t get deep into specifics, but it sounds like Rivers reached out to the Dolphins and 49ers while the teams were dealing with injuries at quarterback. Rivers last played with the Colts in 2020 and is now 41 years old. The former eight-time Pro Bowler appeared in 12 playoff games in his career and was likely intrigued by the opportunity to step in and help a roster competing for a Super Bowl. Barring an unexpected announcement, we wouldn’t expect Rivers to have any interest in returning for a full slate of games in 2023.

The news comes one week after the Saints reportedly checked in on Rivers, who spent the fall coaching football in southern Alabama close-ish to New Orleans. Although that was a geographical fit, Rivers would obviously be a much better system fit in the Colts offense he piloted to the postseason in 2020. Were he to come aboard, his primary task would be handing the ball off to Jonathan Taylor against the Raiders. Ultimately, there probably is not enough time to make this harebrained scheme work for Week 17.

The Saints have not reached out — Rivers said so himself — but the 39-year-old would be interested in returning to the NFL after his St Michael’s varsity team, less than three hours away from the Superdome and New Orleans, finished their season last week. Coach Sean Payton sounded disinterested when asked about bringing in outside help in place of Jameis Winston (torn ACL) on Monday but could be convinced if Taysom Hill and/or Trevor Siemian struggle in an interim role. It’s unclear whether Rivers is actually in shape to return if called.

Rivers noted that he would not have made weight had he been asked to report to a team for training camp. He is currently coaching high school football and would likely want to see his first season as a coach all the way through before rejoining the league. That would put him on teams’ radars around December. If Rivers isn’t in playing shape and will be preoccupied with coaching for a few months, it’s unlikely that he finds a home in the NFL this year. However, if a team were desperate enough, they would turn to Rivers before any currently available free agent. Rivers threw 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 68 percent of his passes in 2020. He may not be close to his prime, but Rivers would still be a serviceable emergency option for a team that sustains a quarterback injury late in the year.

Colts general manager had said Rivers would make a decision about his retirement next month, but Rivers, 39, only needed two weeks to say he would leave the game after 16 years with the Chargers and one season with Indianapolis. Rivers, who will become the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, threw for at least 30 touchdowns six times in his career, topping 4,500 passing yards in five seasons. Incredibly, he didn’t miss a game since taking over as the Chargers’ starting QB in 2006. Rivers and the Chargers had a run of excellent regular seasons with LaDainian Tomlinson as the team’s offensive centerpiece, only to falter in the postseason, sometimes in heart wrenching fashion. In his only season with the Colts, Rivers led the team to the playoffs before losing to the Bills in the Wild Card round. Rivers’ oddball sidearm delivery will go down as one of the quirkiest and most effective throwing motions in league history. The Colts will bring in new quarterbacks via the NFL draft or free agency -- perhaps both. QB Jacoby Brissett is an unrestricted free agent.

“Do I think Philip can still play? Absolutely,” Ballard said at his season-ending Zoom. “He’s going to take some time, and we’re going to take some time. We’ll meet again in about a month.” Rivers was philosophical about his future following last Saturday’s Wild Card loss, saying he is going to need some time. It’s the first time Rivers has been anything other than gung-ho about continuing his marathon career. The 39-year-old is steadily losing effectiveness, though he remained an above-average starter in 2020. He probably has one more season of starting-quality play left in the tank. The Colts don’t have a good backup plan.

Rivers, an unrestricted free agent in 2021, was emotion in a postgame presser following the Colts’ three-point loss to the Bills, and wouldn’t commit to returning to Indianapolis next season. Rivers led the Colts to an 11-5 record this season with 4,168 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7.7 yards per attempt in a primarily game managing role. Against Buffalo on Saturday, Rivers threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns thanks to three quarters of negative game script. The Colts will need to know Rivers’ retirement plans sooner rather than later. His decision could affect how aggressive the team is in acquiring a new QB in free agency and the draft -- or both.

With the win, the Colts (11-5) are headed to Buffalo for Wild Card weekend. Rivers will have to bring his best ball to keep pace with the Bills, and he’ll have to do so without his left tackle. The veteran didn’t look to lose much zip on his passes in 2020 and even dropped his interceptions from 20 to 11. Rivers’ 4,168 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7.7 yards per attempt average indicate that he can get hot in stretches.

Any mistakes Rivers made can be chalked up to the veteran holding onto the ball for far too long with a third-string left tackle on his blindside. He drove the ball without hesitation in the first half, completing 9-of-12 passes for 153 yards and a 42-yard strike to Zach Pascal, but stayed under duress over the final two quarters as the Steelers responded with 21 unanswered points and 7.2 yards per play. With this loss, the Colts need to beat the Jaguars and have any of Baltimore, Miami, or Cleveland lose in Week 17 to sneak into the Wild Card round. It’s a massive fall from grace for a team that had been clicking on all cylinders with three consecutive wins prior to Sunday.

Rivers hit his fantasy floor and nothing more. After three weeks of reviving T.Y. Hilton, Rivers, for whatever reason, was looking Zach Pascal’s way early and often, finding his No. 3 wideout for 5/79/2. Frustrating for fantasy managers, but it’s what the Texans were giving Rivers. Averaging nearly eight yards per attempt while mostly avoiding turnovers, Rivers is doing what he needs to do to guide the Colts to the postseason. He will not be an upside option for the fantasy finals against the Steelers in Week 16.