Another well-known quarterback will have a new home in 2020.
Philip Rivers is expected to land in Indianapolis:
For the #Colts and QB Philip Rivers, it’s a 1 year deal worth $25M that is guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports Rivers will get a one-year deal that will pay him about $25 million. That makes for one rich “prove it” deal for Rivers, who will play for a franchise that isn’t the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers for the first time in his professional career. I won’t even front, seeing Rivers in something other than those familiar blue and yellow uniforms is going to be jarring and surreal.
For Rivers, the Colts are a superb landing spot. Quenton Nelson spearheads what is arguably the NFL’s best offensive line. Marlon Mack, who’s run for 1,999 yards over the last two years, anchors the rushing attack. T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle present themselves as solid pass-catching options. And the defense is led by Darius Leonard (AP’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Pro linebacker in 2018). All of this made for an attractive situation for Rivers to want to be a part of in 2020. Of course, employing Head Coach Frank Reich – who coached Rivers as a position coach and offensive coordinator between 2013-15 – probably helps here, too.
As the quarterback carousel spins, Rivers’ signing with the Colts leaves one fewer potential destination for Tom Brady. Quarterback situations in Tampa, Los Angeles (Chargers), and New England are among those that remain unresolved (and of course, in Chicago, where competition figures to be brewing for Mitch Trubisky). Stay tuned.