When news broke that the Indianapolis Colts didn’t believe in Jacoby Brissett, a new quarterback was inevitable.
When the Los Angeles Chargers released the news that Phillip Rivers was not going back, this news felt inevitable too.
Still, bringing in a quarterback like Rivers brings a sense of hope for a playoff run in 2020.
However, longtime Chargers’ fans know all to well the story of Rivers.
Does that pose the question: do you believe in the Colts new quarterback?
Yes #1: The Numbers Are HOF Worthy
Despite entering next season at 38-years old, Rivers is one of the best passers in the league.
Rivers left the Chargers after 16 years with 59,271 career passing yards and 297 touchdowns.
Most Passing TDs since 2017
Russell Wilson – 100
Tom Brady – 85
Kirk Cousins – 83
Philip Rivers – 83
Drew Brees – 82
Jared Goff – 82
Matt Ryan – 81
Carson Wentz – 81
Patrick Mahomes – 76
Dak Prescott – 74
Deshaun Watson – 71
Jameis Winston – 71
Matthew Stafford – 69— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) February 24, 2020
The Colts have one of the best offensive lines in football.
Rivers did not have the best line to protect him and still managed to throw 4,615 passing yards.
According to PFF, the Chargers had the 29th ranked offensive line last year.
In 15 games, Brissett managed just 2,942 passing yards.
No #1: Too Many Interceptions
Rivers’ passing numbers look flashy, but there were 20 interceptions thrown compared to 23 touchdown passes.
Currently, Rivers’ 198 career interceptions are tied for 29th most all-time.
It was the second time in four seasons that Rivers threw for 20 or more interceptions in a season.
How many interceptions did Phillip Rivers throw?#KCvsLAC #MNF pic.twitter.com/fm5PqSVAf4
— Patrick Mahomes’ Voice 💬 (@MahomesVoice) November 19, 2019
Yes #2: Close Rapport With OC
Before the decision was ever made, his former teammates thought he was coming to Indy.
Free-agent running back Melvin Gordon played four seasons with Rivers with the Los Angeles Chargers.
According to him, he thought that Rivers will play for the Colts in 2020 due to his relationship with Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni.
“I think he’ll go to the Colts,” Gordon told CBS Sports. “I don’t know, that’s just my thought. . . . He has Nick there, the offensive coordinator, he came from here. . . . They run the same playbook so it would be easy, he can be telling guys what to do. . . . I think that’s probably the best fit.”
No #2: Not A Playoff Quarterback
You bring in Rivers to lead a playoff run, and Rivers isn’t even known for making deep runs in the postseason.
Rivers’ overall record is 4-4 and he has never taken a team to a Super Bowl.
In 2007, Rivers led the Chargers to the AFC Championship Game, but that was it.
The Colts are in “win-now” mode, and their new quarterback has never won it all.
Rivers had a good group of receivers & running backs, but limited the offense with his slew of INTs this year. Rivers is also not a Hall of Famer. Largely empty stats in a passing era, losing playoff record, and never even made it to the Super Bowl https://t.co/CL5xALLGdR
— Brian Webber (@bwwebber) January 27, 2020
Yes #3: Rivers Just Wants To Win
The Colts had the No. 3 ranked offense line in the league.
Rivers does not have to be the league’s MVP.
The team just needs a quarterback that can control the clock, and make those plays when it counts.
At this stage in his career, he wants to win and he made that clear at the end of the regular season.
Fans may not see 5,000 passing yards but that is okay as long as the Colts get the win.
QB1 is all heart. pic.twitter.com/kNalRfkWY7
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) December 29, 2019
No #3: Age Is A Problem
There was no way we were not going to acknowledge that Rivers is one of the oldest quarterbacks in the league.
Only Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matt Schaub, Ben Roethlisberger, and Eli Manning are older than Rivers.
Rivers is a great leader and teammate, but we have only seen quarterbacks at age 38 or older win Super Bowls three times.
- Tom Brady-41 years old (Patriots over Rams)
- Tom Brady-39 years old (Patriots over Falcons)
- Peyton Manning-39 years old (Broncos over Panthers)
- John Elway-38 years old (Broncos over Falcons)
