08-08-2023, 04:34 AM
The free agent quarterback market was littered with accomplished veteran pa sers for the first time in quite some time, and although stole most of the headlines, ' free agency might end being the most impactful in the short term when we look back at the 2020 season. , Rivers and the were in the proce s of finalizing a contract on Tuesday and that deal has since been agreed upon in principle -- of course, no deal can become official during the legal tampering period. reports Rivers will sign a one-year deal worth roughly $25 million with the Colts upon the start of the new league year on Wednesday.Throughout his career, Rivers has won 123 games as a starting quarterback in the NFL (123-101 record) -- the most wins in NFL history by a quarterback who hasn't appeared in a Super Bowl. Over the last six seasons, the have made the postseason just once with Rivers at the helm. Although the Chargers' franchise stalwart's best days are likely behind him, Rivers still has a lot left to offer. Whoever ends up signing Rivers will be getting one of the NFL's most dependable and available quarterbacks. Rivers hasn't mi sed a start since Week 1 of the 2006 season -- his 224 consecutive games started is the longest active streak and second-longest in NFL history (Brett Favre made 297 consecutive starts). Rivers is also sixth all time in career completions, Grant Long Jersey pa sing yards, and pa sing touchdowns.In 2019, Rivers threw for the fourth-most single-season pa sing yards of his career and completed 66% of his pa s attempts with more touchdowns than interceptions. Rivers is now 38 years old, but he was a Pro Bowl quarterback as recently as the 2018 NFL season, the last of a three-year stretch of consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.Why the Colts-Rivers union makes senseEarlier this offseason, Cody Benjamin broke down the, and although the were the most heavily-linked to Rivers, Benjamin had the Colts as the No. 1 landing spot. Follow the link above to find out exactly why Rivers to the Colts is an excellent fit for both sides. Jeff Kerr added insight as to why the fit makes so much sense from a systematic standpoint. Rivers will immediately have familiarity with the offensive system the Colts plan to run in 2020. More from Kerr below:"Rivers would be reunited with Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, who spent five seasons as an offensive a sistant with the , who Rivers played for from 2004 to 2019. Colts coach Frank Reich was the offensive coordinator for two seasons with the Chargers, spending three total years with Rivers in San Diego."Reich was the Chargers' quarterbacks coach in 2013, when Rivers led the by completing 69.5% of his pa ses, the highest completion percentage of his career. Along with throwing for 4,478 yards and 32 touchdowns that season, Rivers also took care of the football, throwing just 11 interceptions while earning Pro Bowl honors."Projected market value for RiversAlthough the contract details on Rivers' impending deal with the Colts have not yet been finalized or revealed to the public, we have a pretty good idea of what the contract might look like based on market projections. Over at Spotrac, one of the leading providers of NFL contract and salary cap information, they have projected Rivers' estimated free-agent market value. Based on several factors including Rivers' age and the market at the quarterback position, Spotrac projects Rivers to have a current calculated market value (and this could change if, say, signs a long-term extension) of $24, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Jersey 337,191 annually. They project Rivers to receive a two-year, $48,674,382 contract in free agency. You can find the full details for Rivers' market value projection IND QB #17 CMP%66.0YDs4615TD23INT20YD/Att7.81 Scouting report on Rivers (pros and cons)
ros:Short and intermediate accuracyRivers throws a "runner's ball" -- more simplified: the placement of his throws allows his receiving options the most room to operate after the catchRivers throws with excellent anticipation -- specifically to running backs (might still be NFL's best in this regard) and tight endsRivers is still willing and unafraid to push the ball downfield (7.81 yards per attempt during a down 2019 season) -- even with diminishing arm talent, Rivers wins downfield by anticipating where the defenders won't beCons:Turnover rate spiked in 2019; specifically in late-game situationsTouchdown rate plummeted in 2019; Rivers' 23 touchdowns were his lowest total since 2007 seasonOverall efficiency dropped; Rivers' 88.5 quarterback rating was his lowest since 2007 seasonDiminishing arm talent; Rivers can still make all the throws, but his arm talent has taken a noticeable dip and he would be best-suited signing with a warm-weather team (or a team that plays home games in a dome)Free agent timeline (how we got here):Rivers and Colts already in discu sionsMonday, March 16: The free agency tampering period just got underway and there is reportedly already news on the Rivers free agent front. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rivers is a "clear target" for the Colts and the two sides have engaged in early discu sions. .A surprise darkhorse could be in the mix for RiversWednesday, Mar. 4: During an appearance on FS1's "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd, FOX Sports' Peter Schrager mentioned a "crazy dark horse" team he is hearing is involved in potentially signing Rivers as a free agent. Considering how popular the Rivers-Colts connection is, we can rule out Indianapolis as any kind of "crazy" surprise. Instead, a surprise team could include the , as they are likely looking to make a splash in their first season in Vegas and they have been lukewarm in their appraisal of current franchise quarterback . The could also be a surprise darkhorse candidate -- if they believe an upgrade at quarterback will take them from AFC Championship losers to Super Bowl winners Christian Laettner Jersey in one offseason. Of course, that would a sume they believe Rivers is an upgrade over , or that signing him to his long-term asking price is unobtainable. How about the ? They just traded for Rivers' former blindside pa s protector (left tackle ) and they haven't exactly guaranteed is in their future plans.Multiple reports link Rivers to the ColtsWednesday, Feb. 26: It's combine week and that means team execs and scouts have gathered in Indianapolis for the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. As usual with a gathering of this size, rumors and buzz have circulated. Most notably, two reports surfaced on Wednesday suggesting the Colts have interest in signing Rivers in free agency. on the latest between Rivers and Indianapolis. predicts where Rivers will signThursday, Feb. 13: Over the course of their five seasons playing together, Rivers and star running back Melvin Gordon have developed a strong rapport both on and off the field. As the speculation on where Rivers will sign in March during the NFL's 2020 free agency period continues to build, Gordon weighed in with on where the former 2004 first-round draft pick will suit up Marcus Morris Jersey for the 2020 season. Gordon made sure to clarify this was only his opinion, but his supporting logic is sound from an Xs and Os standpoint. Chargers GM explains the decisionTuesday, Feb. 11: "Once we saw the way this was heading, it was in the forefront of my mind," . "I mean, he's an icon for the organization and he's done so much here. I wanted to make sure everything was done as respectfully and cla sy as po sible. This can be a very difficult busine s for all of us to be inhead coaches, GMs, players. That was the thought in my mind."Bryan DeArdo has more on .Rivers provides a timetable on how long he plans to playTuesday, Feb. 11: Rivers won't be playing in the NFL for forever, but as he explained to Sam Farmer of the LA Times, he still has some "emotional fire and pa sion" left. Whoever signs him this March will get that, and more. information on how long Rivers plan to play for and how he feels about the mutual decision to move on from the Chargers franchise. #ThankYouPhilip becomes a Twitter trendMonday, Feb. 10:Just minutes after Los Angeles announced their decision to mutually move on from Rivers this offseason, Chargers fans and players took to Twitter and social media to commemorate his time with the franchise. Chargers wide receiver has built a longstanding relationship and rapport with Rivers on and off the field and he was particularly saddened by the news. Within minutes, #ThankYouPhilip started trending. Shanna McCarriston has from fans and players on social media.Chargers and Rivers agree to mutually part waysMonday, Feb. 10:Although it's realistic to a sume that Mateen Cleaves Jersey a free-agent departure from a team where a player spent 16 seasons as the face of that franchise would come with baggage, both the Chargers and Rivers are claiming a mutual departure -- at least publicly. On Feb. 10, just eight days after the Super Bowl, both sides agreed to end the speculation about Los Angeles' tie to Rivers in the upcoming 2020 free agency with an official announcement that the veteran quarterback will move on from the franchise this March. Jordan Dajani has.Early buzz connects Rivers to Tampa BayMonday, Jan. 20: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to enter the 2020 offseason with current franchise quarterback ready to hit unrestricted free agency. According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, whothat Rivers and the Chargers would likely be parting ways, about Tampa Bay as a potential landing spot for Rivers, which is intriguing for multiple reasons. La Canfora broke downwhat he's heard about Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians' interest in Rivers, and why the union between he and Rivers make so much sense.Rivers moves his family to FloridaSunday, Jan. 19: Shortly after the conclusion of the 2019 regular season, Rivers and his family made the decision to move back closer to home -- from San Diego to Florida."What this means football-wise is to be determined but it was time for us to move back closer to home," Rivers wrote . why, based on what we do know about Rivers' family, his decision to move them to Florida could have a major impact on his upcoming free agency.
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ros:Short and intermediate accuracyRivers throws a "runner's ball" -- more simplified: the placement of his throws allows his receiving options the most room to operate after the catchRivers throws with excellent anticipation -- specifically to running backs (might still be NFL's best in this regard) and tight endsRivers is still willing and unafraid to push the ball downfield (7.81 yards per attempt during a down 2019 season) -- even with diminishing arm talent, Rivers wins downfield by anticipating where the defenders won't beCons:Turnover rate spiked in 2019; specifically in late-game situationsTouchdown rate plummeted in 2019; Rivers' 23 touchdowns were his lowest total since 2007 seasonOverall efficiency dropped; Rivers' 88.5 quarterback rating was his lowest since 2007 seasonDiminishing arm talent; Rivers can still make all the throws, but his arm talent has taken a noticeable dip and he would be best-suited signing with a warm-weather team (or a team that plays home games in a dome)Free agent timeline (how we got here):Rivers and Colts already in discu sionsMonday, March 16: The free agency tampering period just got underway and there is reportedly already news on the Rivers free agent front. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rivers is a "clear target" for the Colts and the two sides have engaged in early discu sions. .A surprise darkhorse could be in the mix for RiversWednesday, Mar. 4: During an appearance on FS1's "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd, FOX Sports' Peter Schrager mentioned a "crazy dark horse" team he is hearing is involved in potentially signing Rivers as a free agent. Considering how popular the Rivers-Colts connection is, we can rule out Indianapolis as any kind of "crazy" surprise. Instead, a surprise team could include the , as they are likely looking to make a splash in their first season in Vegas and they have been lukewarm in their appraisal of current franchise quarterback . The could also be a surprise darkhorse candidate -- if they believe an upgrade at quarterback will take them from AFC Championship losers to Super Bowl winners Christian Laettner Jersey in one offseason. Of course, that would a sume they believe Rivers is an upgrade over , or that signing him to his long-term asking price is unobtainable. How about the ? They just traded for Rivers' former blindside pa s protector (left tackle ) and they haven't exactly guaranteed is in their future plans.Multiple reports link Rivers to the ColtsWednesday, Feb. 26: It's combine week and that means team execs and scouts have gathered in Indianapolis for the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. As usual with a gathering of this size, rumors and buzz have circulated. Most notably, two reports surfaced on Wednesday suggesting the Colts have interest in signing Rivers in free agency. on the latest between Rivers and Indianapolis. predicts where Rivers will signThursday, Feb. 13: Over the course of their five seasons playing together, Rivers and star running back Melvin Gordon have developed a strong rapport both on and off the field. As the speculation on where Rivers will sign in March during the NFL's 2020 free agency period continues to build, Gordon weighed in with on where the former 2004 first-round draft pick will suit up Marcus Morris Jersey for the 2020 season. Gordon made sure to clarify this was only his opinion, but his supporting logic is sound from an Xs and Os standpoint. Chargers GM explains the decisionTuesday, Feb. 11: "Once we saw the way this was heading, it was in the forefront of my mind," . "I mean, he's an icon for the organization and he's done so much here. I wanted to make sure everything was done as respectfully and cla sy as po sible. This can be a very difficult busine s for all of us to be inhead coaches, GMs, players. That was the thought in my mind."Bryan DeArdo has more on .Rivers provides a timetable on how long he plans to playTuesday, Feb. 11: Rivers won't be playing in the NFL for forever, but as he explained to Sam Farmer of the LA Times, he still has some "emotional fire and pa sion" left. Whoever signs him this March will get that, and more. information on how long Rivers plan to play for and how he feels about the mutual decision to move on from the Chargers franchise. #ThankYouPhilip becomes a Twitter trendMonday, Feb. 10:Just minutes after Los Angeles announced their decision to mutually move on from Rivers this offseason, Chargers fans and players took to Twitter and social media to commemorate his time with the franchise. Chargers wide receiver has built a longstanding relationship and rapport with Rivers on and off the field and he was particularly saddened by the news. Within minutes, #ThankYouPhilip started trending. Shanna McCarriston has from fans and players on social media.Chargers and Rivers agree to mutually part waysMonday, Feb. 10:Although it's realistic to a sume that Mateen Cleaves Jersey a free-agent departure from a team where a player spent 16 seasons as the face of that franchise would come with baggage, both the Chargers and Rivers are claiming a mutual departure -- at least publicly. On Feb. 10, just eight days after the Super Bowl, both sides agreed to end the speculation about Los Angeles' tie to Rivers in the upcoming 2020 free agency with an official announcement that the veteran quarterback will move on from the franchise this March. Jordan Dajani has.Early buzz connects Rivers to Tampa BayMonday, Jan. 20: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to enter the 2020 offseason with current franchise quarterback ready to hit unrestricted free agency. According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, whothat Rivers and the Chargers would likely be parting ways, about Tampa Bay as a potential landing spot for Rivers, which is intriguing for multiple reasons. La Canfora broke downwhat he's heard about Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians' interest in Rivers, and why the union between he and Rivers make so much sense.Rivers moves his family to FloridaSunday, Jan. 19: Shortly after the conclusion of the 2019 regular season, Rivers and his family made the decision to move back closer to home -- from San Diego to Florida."What this means football-wise is to be determined but it was time for us to move back closer to home," Rivers wrote . why, based on what we do know about Rivers' family, his decision to move them to Florida could have a major impact on his upcoming free agency.Click here Click here Click here