How the Colts can best utilize Philip Rivers

The Colts will have a new starting quarterback in 2020. How can they best utilize the talents that he brings to Indianapolis?

Philip Rivers signed just a one-year deal to play with the Colts. While that deal can easily be extended at the end of 2020, that doesn’t give Rivers a whole lot of security. It means he needs to play well immediately to still have a future with the organization.

Not all of it is on Rivers though. A lot of it is on the coaching staff. They have to create gameplans that best utilize the skills that he possesses. Doing that will put him in the best chance to succeed and in turn, give the team the best chance to succeed.

Part of that gameplan should be to throw the ball deep down the field. Rivers loves to take shots down the field when he has time to do so, much more than Jacoby Brissett did. Last season, Rivers had a 7.8 yards per attempt as opposed to Brissett’s paltry 6.8.

To better utilize that skill, Rivers needs some help. Speedy receivers T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell should be able to run more go routes, but the Colts still need a bigger receiver. They need someone who can go up and catch a deep jump ball over a smaller corner or safety.

That leads us to the draft. The Colts should be in the market for at least one wide receiver in this year’s deep draft class. They should look to add a bigger-bodied receiver to help Rivers in his endeavor to complete big chunk pass plays.

Another trait that Rivers has is his lack of fear of turnovers. That can be a bad thing, as was the case when he threw 20 interceptions last season. But it can also be a good thing. It means he will trust his receivers to make plays and go and get the ball.

Hilton and company will have to adjust to this playing style. But the coaches can use that style to their advantage. They can call more double moves and more corner routes where receivers can go and make plays on the ball. Those types of plays can reap large rewards.

We won’t know how good this offense will be until the draft is over. But I know we all can’t wait to see how the offense is put together.