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Philip Rivers’ contract with the Indianapolis Colts includes more than just cash for the four games he plans to play with the franchise that needed him at quarterback.
Rivers shocked everyone in the football world when he took a call from the Colts, the last NFL team he played for in 2020, before hanging up his cleats for good — or so he thought then.
Rivers came out of retirement to sign a one-year contract worth a minimum of $1.255 million, according to Pro Football Talk. This deal, however, would be prorated over the next four games, with Rivers’ actual net salary being $278,889.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) on the sidelines during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)
But there’s a lot more to it than the six-figure sum Rivers gets by returning to the NFL. In fact, it might be more important for a father of 10.
Rivers’ health insurance from the league is also back, and it was set to expire as his five-year career ends at the end of this season.
Now, Rivers’ expiration date has been reset to five more years, meaning the league health insurance plan he had will last until 2030. A good deal for his family, too.
COLTS’ PHILIP RIVERS HOPES NFL’S EMOTIONAL FEEDBACK PROVIDES INSPIRATION
Rivers was emotional after his first game back, which ended in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks thanks to a field goal. Blake Grupe had a 60-yard field goal to give the Colts the lead, but Seahawks kicker Jason Myers scored his sixth field goal of the game for the 18-16 home victory.
Rivers finished 18 of 27 for 120 yards with a touchdown and an interception with a passer rating of 73.1 in his return.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) before playing against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card game at Bills Stadium on January 9, 2021. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)
“Maybe it will inspire or teach people not to run or be afraid of what may or may not happen,” Rivers said after the loss about what his return could mean for those watching. “I hope when I think about my sons and the ball players I look after at school, they’ll say, ‘Damn, coach wasn’t scared.’
“There is a doubt, and it is real. The safe bet is to go home or not to go, and the other is: ‘Shoot, let’s see what happens’. I hope that in that sense it can be positive for some young boys or young people.”
Colts head coach Shane Steichen immediately committed to Rivers for the team’s “Monday Night Football” game against the San Francisco 49ers this week, which is no surprise.
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Indianapolis remains in the AFC playoff race, hoping to end a four-game losing streak after going 8-2 to start the season.
