One of the greatest statistical quarterbacks ever has a new home.
No, not Tom Brady. He still is undecided on where to go next, after leaving the Patriots.
No, not Drew Brees. He is staying put with the Saints.
But Philip Rivers reached a one-year, $25 million contract with the Colts, according to multiple reports.
The Colts’ quarterback situation has changed a lot over the past eight months, after Andrew Luck retired and Jacoby Brissett didn’t do enough to win the job long-term. Now here comes the 38-year-old Rivers — a stopgap because he has said he’s interested in playing just one to three more seasons.
The Chargers and Rivers agreed to part ways earlier in the offseason, and the quarterback reportedly moved his family (nine children) to Florida. Originally drafted No. 4 by the Giants in 2004 and traded for Eli Manning that same day, Rivers spent 16 seasons with the Chargers, replacing Brees as the starter.
Rivers ranks among the top seven in NFL history in passing yardage and touchdowns, but, unlike contemporaries Brady, Brees, Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, has never won a Super Bowl. In fact, he could never get the Chargers over the hump to appear in the big game.
Rivers is coming off a difficult season as the Chargers lost close game after close game on the way to a 5-11 finish. The eight-time Pro Bowler threw for 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
The deal reunites Rivers with Colts coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, both of whom are former Chargers assistants.