Philip Rivers opted for retirement following the 2020 NFL season.
He debuted in 2004 with the San Diego Chargers and played one final season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Rivers is set to turn 40 years old this December and for some reason, quarterbacks just can’t seem to stay away from the game at that age anymore.
A recent report explains how Rivers himself still isn’t sure about his career being over.
Philip Rivers…
– is healthy
– started all 16 games last year
– is healthy
– never missed a start in 15 seasons
– is healthy
– averaged 7.9 YPA the last 4 years
– is healthy
– is the only QB with over 4,100 pass yards in every year since 2013
– is healthy https://t.co/ZZhXLe4rj4— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 3, 2021
Rivers not “closing the door” on a return basically means he is ready and waiting to take a job at some point during the year.
So what are his options?
Wait For A Contender
Waiting to see how the season plays out is a great idea on Rivers’ part.
He can continue coaching high school football, skip yet another NFL training camp slate, and sit at home waiting for a contending team to call him.
A likely scenario that would work is if a top contender loses its quarterback and wants someone with experience to step in.
Adding a healthy Rivers would almost be unfair compared to other alternatives.
The fact he is so open to returning will also mean teams will be calling his agent after seeing the news.
The Colts paid Rivers $25 million last year and another team offering one more year of big money may be too good an offer to pass up.
What we do know is Rivers is not going to join a bad team.
He never won a Super Bowl in his career and that has to be in the back of his mind given his current plans.
His Most Recent Team
Philip Rivers isn’t closing the door on a potential return to the NFL if there’s a team that needs him, per @LATimesfarmer
Rivers: 79.2 grade in 2020 (17th) pic.twitter.com/f6CMU5ad80
— PFF (@PFF) August 3, 2021
The Colts have to be thinking of calling Rivers now that Carson Wentz is out anywhere from five to 12 weeks with an injury.
He knows the coach and the offense, with the only caveat being Wentz is expected to return at some point this year.
However, he has not been durable throughout his career and the Colts need to ensure they have a proper plan in place for Week 1 to avoid wasting a year if Wentz returns early in the season.
Coming back to an 0-4 team would do him no good.
The problem is Rivers may still want to wait so he isn’t just quitting on his own team as a coach.
If he waits and the Colts need him later on with a shot to make the playoffs, that is a different situation entirely.
The fact Rivers has not ruled out returning totally changes the quarterback market around the trade deadline as well.
Teams will know Rivers is available and may hesitate to trade too much for someone without as much experience.
This is just another interesting addition to all the quarterback drama already seen in 2021.
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It’s time says
Browns are perfect for Rivers . WR and Oline and Defense ,Phil could play another 3 years easily .