Philip Rivers: Should the Colts Bring The QB Back Next Season?

This past offseason, the Indianapolis Colts made a splash in the free agent market by signing QB Philip Rivers to a one-year, $25 million deal.

Being second half of the season, it is time to raise the question: should the Colts bring Rivers back next year?

The 38-year-old Rivers came onto a Colts team that had a mediocre 2019 season, going 7-9 and finishing third in the AFC South.

Much of this was due to the inconsistent play of their QB Jacoby Brissett.

Fast-forward to 2020 and the team has found a veteran pocket presence in Rivers.

So far, the move has paid off.

The Colts are tied for the AFC South lead with a 7-3 record, winning four of their last five games.

This includes a big victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 11 where Rivers stepped up.

Highest-Graded QBs of Week 11 prior to MNF:
1. Deshaun Watson – 94.3
2. Derek Carr – 93.2
3. Russell Wilson – 89.4
4. Philip Rivers – 88.4
5. Patrick Mahomes – 86.8 pic.twitter.com/WWJ4XDiKY8

— PFF (@PFF) November 23, 2020

He has been a major key to this success, being a consistent source of offense each week.

While he definitely isn’t setting the MVP talks ablaze, Rivers is doing what he has always done during his career: play well.

A Track Record of Success

Since entering the league in 2004 and becoming a starter in 2006, Rivers has been one of the most dependable QBs in the NFL.

Over the last 14 years, he has not missed a single start.

This 244-game consecutive start streak (including the playoffs) ranks him fourth all-time.

Over this time, Rivers has proven the ability to consistently throw for over 4000 yards and more than 25 touchdowns each year.

Similar to his QB peer Tom Brady, Rivers has also aged well.

While on the Chargers, Rivers was still able to reach his typical production the past four years.

Though a QB who will be 39 years-old next month raises some concerns, Rivers has a proven record of success at his position.

The Right Fit for The Colts?

So far this season, we have seen much of the same from Rivers.

There is nothing different about the performances he is putting on for the Colts; they are not unbelievable, but he is getting the job done.

He does, however, have a good supporting squad around him which is translating to success.

This is a good sign for the team, showing that their investment in Rivers for this season is paying off.

Currently, he ranks 11th in the NFL for passing yards.

#Colts QB Philip Rivers over the last five games:

• 67 COMP%
• 10 TDs
• 3 INTs
• 4-1 record

Rivers is getting into rhythm at a perfect time. pic.twitter.com/qyogZ3T2sN

— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) November 23, 2020

Because of this, they should certainly consider resigning him for next year.

If the Colts continue this success and make the playoffs, with Rivers playing like he has shown, there is no reason for them not to bring him back.

The aging Rivers will likely be cheaper to sign than other free agent QBs on the market.

His consistent production also makes him an attractive signing.

It is unclear whether he will sign for a one-year contract again, but this would be a no-brainer for the Colts.

The beauty of his current deal is that if he played poorly this season, the team had no ties with him going forward.

Expect the Colts to push for that same type of deal next offseason.

What About Jacoby Brissett?

The player on the short end of the stick for all of this has been Jacoby Brissett.

In 2019, the 27-year-old QB actually put together a solid campaign.

An MCL sprain last November knocked his season off-course, but he finished with good numbers.

In 15 games, Brissett threw for 2942 yards with an 18 TD to 6 INT ratio.

It was expected that he’d have another shot at starting in 2020.

Instead, he has become a QB sneak specialist.

Jacoby Brissett with the greatest QB sneak of all-time. pic.twitter.com/VBMzZRfDI4

— Indy SportsOne (@IndySportsOne) November 22, 2020

The team may consider going back to Brissett for 2021, if they decide against bringing Rivers back.

For now, the Colts look to continue their success this season riding the leadership of the veteran Philip Rivers.