What to expect from new Colts QB Philip Rivers
Yahoo Sports' Liz Loza and Matt Harmon discussing what we can expect from new Colts' QB Philip Rivers. Subscribe to the Yahoo Fantasy Football Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Video Transcript
[CHEERING]
LIZ LOZA: Philip Rivers is landing in Indianapolis with the Colts. So, I mean, I don't know if you can hear that, Matt. But I'm not quite sure if it's the sound of a rumbling van full of children or a stampede of I told you so's on Twitter.
MATT HARMON: Yeah, I mean, this one seemed like it was telegraphed-- seemed like it was just a matter of them working it out. It's really interesting that it's a one-year deal. Obviously it's a totally bandaid situation. I think that Rivers is the odds-on favorite to be the week one starter.
But, I mean, I would say too if they get into training camp, and his arm looks like it's this close to falling off, I'm not going to rule out that we see Jacoby Brissett at some point in 2020, because, again, this is a one-year deal. A decent amount of money but not overwhelming. And the Colts, also, like, they're clearly trying to go for it here in the AFC.
They also swung a big trade to get DeForest Buckner from the NFC championship San Francisco 49ers. So they're clearly in go-for-it mode. And I think that that makes them interesting too, because they don't have a lot of draft capital left after the Buckner trade. But, you know, maybe they add a wide receiver to that room in the second round when they're-- because it's supposed to be a loaded class.
Like, I still think the Colts are going to be-- this move gives them the potential to be a lot more interesting, not with just the guys they have, but what more they can do here in 2020.
LIZ LOZA: When I think the relationship between Frank Reich and Philip Rivers bears repeating, because we know that they have familiarity. Reich was obviously the quarterback coach for the Chargers in 2013 and the offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015. But interestingly, those were three of Rivers' best career seasons.
He was the Fantasy Football quarterback number six in 2013, QB nine in 2014, QB 12 in 2015. So a bit of a decline there. Also, when we take a look at the offensive lines, and we've made this point in previous episodes. But if you're just tuning in now, we're going to say it again. [LAUGHS] The O-line in for the Chargers has been a disaster for many, many years. They've had a top seven-ranked pass protecting unit in Indianapolis, however, over the past two seasons.
And when I saw that the Colts, I believe, last week signed left tackle Anthony Costanzo to a two-year $33 million contract extension, I figured that a short-term deal, I should say, one-year for $25 million for Philip Rivers was coming, because they want to protect a guy who's managed to produce even without an offensive line and without much mobility as one of his-- within his skill set.
MATT HARMON: Yeah, I mean, it makes a ton of sense for all parties involved. And I feel like we've talked so much about this in the prep to it happening that we've probably covered it to its point here.
LIZ LOZA: Last thing-- TY Hilton-- stock up. I think a little bit. Look, I think he might be a nice value next year, because people have kind of forgotten about him. And he's older, et cetera, et cetera.
[MUSIC PLAYING]