Indianapolis Colts: 5 Replacements for Jacoby Brissett at quarterback
Sign Philip Rivers to a 2-year, $48 million deal
Philip Rivers is finally a free agent after spending the past 16 years with the L.A. Chargers. Coming off of a season where he completed 66% of his passes for 4,615 yards and 22 touchdowns, Rivers has shown he still has enough gas in the tank to take a team deep into the playoffs. After all, he is only one year removed from a 12-4 season where the Chargers managed the 2nd best record in the AFC and boasted the sixth-best offense in the league.
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Rivers is the definition of a pocket-passer, utilizing his ability to read defenses and throw at different arm angles to fit the ball into tight spaces. He has become one of the best in the league at controlling the game from the line of scrimmage and audibling into more favorable plays. He fits the mold of what Frank Reich and the Colts are looking for; he can make nearly all of the throws and has the experience to command a young Colts squad.
Rivers would likely see greater efficiency and better overall performance in Indianapolis. The offensive line in front of him would be a marked improvement from what he has had for most of his career.
The Colts front has only given up 50 sacks over the past two seasons, while the Chargers have given up 68 sacks in that span. He would also have at his disposal a steady run game, an innovative offensive head coach, and a solid No. 1 receiver in T.Y. Hilton.
The problem with Rivers is his age and turnover propensity. Rivers was ranked third among starting quarterbacks in interceptions and put the ball on the ground eight times this season. He possesses limited mobility and has made questionable decisions this past year. He has a tendency to try to make something happen when it’s not there, and more often than not, the team pays the price.
At 38 years old, he’s purely a band-aid on the quarterback position. If the Colts think they can win a Super Bowl in the next two years, he’s a great signing to help them make a title run.