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INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts and Philip Rivers will take about the next month or so to self-examine what they think is best for each team when it comes to the quarterback position, general manager Chris Ballard said during his end of season media session Thursday.
Rivers, for the second consecutive offseason, is considering retiring from the NFL. He previously accepted a position as a high school football head coach in Alabama after his retirement.
“I didn’t commit to any of the cases,” Ballard said. “What I said to Philip is that we both have to take a month and decide which way we’re going. It was after he said to me, ‘Chris, I’m not 100% sure.’ Do we want Philip to come back? Yes. But I told Philip we have to go through the process. I have to do my job. “
The Colts signed Rivers to a one-year, $ 25 million contract in March 2020 after spending the first 16 years of his career with the Chargers. Rivers led the Colts to an 11-5 record and the playoffs while throwing for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. He’s also entered the top five in NFL history for touchdowns and passing yards this season.
Re-signing Rivers would be a no-brainer if he was younger. But the reality is that he will be 40 in November, which calls into question how long he can still produce at a high level.
“If it’s a 30-year-old Philip Rivers or a 35-year-old Philip Rivers, we don’t have that conference, but it’s a 39-year-old Philip Rivers who might have one, maybe. – be two years old. ”Ballard said.“… Your skills decrease as you get older. Age is undefeated. It’s just. For me, [for Rivers] being able to find a different way to play and win was pretty fun to watch this year. “
As Rivers takes his time deciding what to do next for him, Colts coach Frank Reich, offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni and quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady will continue to assess quarterbacks in the NFL and in the draft class. of this year.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, like Rivers, will be a free agent this season, leaving rookie Jacob Eason as the only quarterback under contract for the Colts.
“If Philip only had five years left, we wouldn’t have this discussion, but we have to explore everything,” Ballard repeated. “I don’t want to see the headlines, however, saying we’re leaving Rivers.”
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