Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich says Philip Rivers has ‘multiple good years ahead of him’
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So, with things going so swimmingly for Rivers and the Colts, the question on everybody’s mind is: Will the Rivers-Colts union be a one-year fling, or will they try to make it last a little longer?
To set the stage, Rivers signed only a one-year deal with the Colts, making him a free agent at season’s end. And as all Colts fan know, with Jacoby Brissett in a contract season as well, 2020 fourth-round pick Jacob Eason is the only quarterback under contract beyond this season.
the Colts’ 44-27 bludgeoning of the Raiders that included a two-touchdown performance from Rivers. “The way he’s playing right now … we said when we got him here, I said Philip is more than capable (of playing multiple seasons).”
Ultimately, Reich added, the length of Rivers’ career is up to Rivers. However, what Reich said Monday did echo what he said in May, not long after the Colts signed Rivers.
“I can just tell you I really believe it’s Philip’s intent to play multiple years,” Reich said. “I’m very optimistic it will be a multiple year thing.”
Rivers hasn’t addressed his own future in a while, but he was adamant earlier this year that he’s taking a one-year-at-a-time approach.
Rivers revealed in his first news conference as a member of the Colts that he didn’t want to sign a multi-year contract. He also said if the 2020 season went well, he felt like he’d want to come back in 2021.
“I’m taking it one year at a time … I think that’s the best way to do it at 38,” Rivers said. “I do feel good, I feel great. If I feel like I feel right now next year, then I’ll be excited to keep going. Again, depending on how the team feels about that and etc. So, I don’t know, I don’t have a number on it. Like I said, I want to coach my son, my oldest son. I have two boys that are 12 and eight (years old). He’ll be a sixth grader, so we have a little bit of time but that is important to me to coach him in high school. So, if that gives you a little idea. I’m not going to get carried away. I don’t think you’ll see me in the Tom Brady range. But I am excited and feel like I can still help a football team go win a championship.”
Rivers has already signed on to coach his oldest son, Gunner, in high school. St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, named Rivers its coach-in-waiting this past May. As soon as Rivers is retired from the NFL, that’s where he’s going.
But the way Rivers is playing right now, the Colts don’t have reason to drive him to the airport and have him hop aboard the soonest flight to Alabama. While there has been rampant media speculation about the Colts moving in a different direction — trading for former Reich pupil and Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz the most popular and persistent idea — Rivers has played well enough for the Colts to want him back.
Of course, there are other considerations. For as well as he’s playing, Rivers isn’t the long-term solution at the most important position in all of sports. If the Colts believe one of those is available this offseason then Reich, general manager Chris Ballard and team owner Jim Irsay will at least have to explore the possibility.
Until that time comes, however, don’t expect this situation to be resolved. It seems likely that with a decision of this magnitude looming, the Colts will want to operate with as much information as possible. That means knowing how this season’s story ends, whether Rivers intends to return for another season and who will be available in the draft, free agent and trade markets.
It’s a situation fraught with complexity, which in a way, is a good problem for the Colts. If Rivers had imploded in Indianapolis, the decision to move on would have been easy. With Rivers playing so well, the situation is favorably complicated.
Follow IndyStar Colts Insider Jim Ayello on Twitter: @jiamayello.
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