While future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning is being considered for national television jobs, current Colts quarterback Philip Rivers already has his post-retirement plans ready.
Rivers, who was born in Decatur, Alabama and went to high school in Athens, Alabama, was announced as the future head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School on Friday, according to Ben Thomas of al.com:
“As the days went by, we felt more and more like God had a hand in this and laid it in our lap from a standpoint of location, school, vision and a young football program. It just made sense.” — Colts QB Philip Rivers on becoming coach-in-waiting at St. Michael Catholic. pic.twitter.com/mBq7Ysn0eF
— Ben Thomas (@BenThomasPreps) May 8, 2020
St. Michael athletic director Paul Knapstein will be the interim head football coach.
Rivers has seemingly been very busy during the offseason, as he has already secured his profession for after his time in the league.
St. Michael football defensive coordinator and head baseball coach Simon Cortopassi is excited for Rivers to join the coaching staff:
First team zoom meeting with the future St. Michael football coach Phillip Rivers! A lot of exciting days ahead for our program! #nunccoepi @BenThomasPreps @AHSAAUpdates @aldotcomPreps @WKRG pic.twitter.com/hJRcg2lYGo
— Simon Cortopassi (@scortopassi13) May 8, 2020
The eight-time Pro Bowler and potential NFL Hall of Famer will have a significant impact on the future of youth football for Alabama.
The Prospect of 2020 being Rivers’ Final NFL Year
In the 2004 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers had the first overall selection.
They were ready to draft Eli Manning, but Manning’s representatives made it clear that he was not interested in playing for San Diego.
Therefore, the Chargers elected to trade Manning to the New York Giants for Rivers, the fourth overall selection.
Rivers and Manning each played 16 seasons with their respective organizations, but the now-retired Manning finished his Giants tenure with two Super Bowl championships.
Meanwhile, Rivers had a 5-6 playoff record and made one AFC Conference Championship appearance while he played for the Chargers.
Rivers enters his first – and possibly only – year with the Colts after finishing with a 5-11 record with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019.
The frustrating performance last season by the Chargers was a shock to many, especially after Rivers was ranked No. 17 on the 2019 NFL Top 100 list.
Rivers has a new and improved offense in Indianapolis, as the Colts drafted wide receiver USC Michael Pittman Jr. and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor with their first two selections of the 2020 draft.
They should be key contributors, along with re-signed offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo.
Quenton Nelson, who Taylor is very excited to run behind, will be starting along with Castonzo.
Although the Colts lost tight end Eric Ebron, Rivers has plenty of returning offensive weapons like T.Y. Hilton, Marlon Mack, Zach Pascal, and Nyheim Hines.
Are the Colts Ready for a 2021 Without Rivers?
The Colts’ fourth round draft pick in the 2020 draft was Jacob Eason, who could possibly be replacing Rivers as the future quarterback of the Colts.
Is Eason ready for the NFL?
We do not know yet, but he could be ready to be the man under center for Indianapolis in 2021.
Ideally, the Colts could give Eason two years to learn under Rivers.
Rivers had that amount of time as the backup for former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees.
However, if that is not possible because Rivers heads to St. Michael Catholic High School to coach in 2021, then Eason could be ready for the task.
Eason, who ranked fourth in the Pac-12 in passing yards in 2019, could have been a steal in the draft for Indianapolis.
By the end of the 2020 season, Eason may be the presumed starting quarterback for the Colts.
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