What has been whispered for months has seemingly come true. Multiple NFL sources report that free agent quarterback Philip Rivers has agreed to a one-year, $25 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Rivers will reunite with head coach Frank Reich, who coached the San Diego Chargers’ quarterbacks in 2013 and coordinated their offense in 2014-15. Current Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni was also a Chargers assistant from 2013-17, coaching quarterbacks in 2014-15. This move is not official until the league year starts tomorrow afternoon, of course, but there is no reason to believe it will fall apart. Now the question becomes: what corresponding moves will come of this?
Brissett’s Status
Jacoby Brissett started 30 total games in 2017 and 2019 and served as Andrew Luck’s backup in 2018. Reich and general manager Chris Ballard seem to like Brissett as a person and a teammate, but his on-field play clearly did not do enough to convince them of his long-term viability as a starting quarterback. Brissett has a record of 11-19 in Indianapolis, and his completion percentage of 59.8 is subpar. After Andrew Luck’s retirement, Brissett renegotiated a two-year deal with the team, and he counts over $21 million against the salary cap this season. With Rivers’ contract on the books, the Colts would be paying roughly $46 million to two players. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicated that the team intends to keep both players. That seems unlikely to hold true.
If the team decides to cut Brissett outright, he will count $12.5 million in dead money against the cap. Trading him, though, could bring back some value in the form of draft picks. Whether a team agrees to trade for him at this stage remains to be seen. Either way, it appears Brissett’s days as the Colts’ starting quarterback are over.
Future Plans
Many fans and pundits suspected that the team would draft a quarterback to groom behind Rivers for a year or two, and that may now be the case. Yesterday’s trade for DeForest Buckner cost the Colts their only first round pick, #13 overall. With the 34th and 44th overall picks still in his possession, Ballard could trade back into the first round, hope that a prospect falls to the early second round, or draft someone in the middle or later rounds as a developmental project. Barring any further moves, the Colts will have Rivers, Brissett, Brian Hoyer, and Chad Kelly on their roster at the start of the league year tomorrow.
Kelly may be in the team’s future plans, although Brissett and Hoyer are likely gone before training camp. A quarterback such as Jacob Eason, Anthony Gordon, Jalen Hurts, or James Morgan could be in play on draft day. None of them seem ready to start as rookies, so a year of learning from Rivers and Reich is only natural. The team could also choose to franchise tag Rivers in 2021 to keep him around for another year if all goes well in 2020.
-
Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primer
by Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Next Steps
Rivers will have the protection he needs behind the Colts’ offensive line, but to whom will he throw? T. Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle are proven targets. Beyond them, things get dicey. Nyheim Hines will likely see an increase in targets, similar to Austin Ekeler’s utilization in Los Angeles the last few years. Parris Campbell, Daurice Fountain, Zach Pascal, and Mo Alie-Cox could see their catch volume increase significantly. Ballard will look to draft a wide receiver and a tight end to support his new quarterback as well.
Marlon Mack and the running game will surely benefit from having a more aggressive passer in Rivers. Few opposing defenses felt they had to respect Brissett’s throwing prowess last season, yet Rivers has never been afraid to uncork a tight-window throw. From a risk-taking standpoint, Rivers is the anti-Brissett. Of course, his 20 interceptions in 2019 are a cause for concern. But checkdowns and short passes are not enough to win a championship, and it seems Reich wanted a gunslinger instead of a game manager.
Salary Cap
Until the league year starts, financial details are only speculation. The Colts entered Monday’s legal tampering period with approximately $86 million available to spend. Buckner and Rivers now account for over half of that figure, if reported contracts are accurate. These are probably the only splash moves that will come to pass, but Ballard may still sign more players.
Mack, Ryan Kelly, and Malik Hooker will receive contract extensions soon. Doing so now will eat even more of the salary cap cushion, which is not a position Ballard wants to create for himself. Flexibility under the cap remains key, and trading Brissett may be the next big decision facing the team.
In two days of unofficial transactions, the Colts have made two blockbuster acquisitions. Buckner is in the prime of his career, and Rivers is on the tail end of his. Both players, however, bring this franchise one step closer to a title run.
– Jesse Pierson is the Managing Editor of FPC Colts. He covers the Indianapolis Colts and the National Football League. Like and follow on Twitter @jessetpierson Follow @FPC_Colts and Facebook.
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
1/6 - Kyrie Irving Traded, Sean Payton To Broncos, Early Super Bowl Oddsby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyrie Irving trade, Sean Payton heading to […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, February 6thby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Ep. 93: Vanderbilt Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbinby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 11:03 pm
-
Bucks at Trail Blazersby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Thunder at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Mavericks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Kings at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 8:30 pm
-
Spurs at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
Cavaliers at Wizardsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
Celtics at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Clippers at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm