Philip Rivers Raised an Important Concern About This Years’ Super Bowl
Tom Brady wasn’t the only long-time veteran quarterback who switched teams over the summer. Philip Rivers, who spent his entire career in both San Diego and Los Angeles with the Chargers, went to Indianapolis to fill the void left by Andrew Luck.
As a result, Rivers has high hopes in the months leading up to his debut with his new team. However, those hopes could go to waste thanks to the current situation. Rivers explained why that is.
Philip Rivers’ quest for glory
As the backup quarterback for Drew Brees, Rivers experienced the Saints superstars’ years in San Diego. By year three, however, the team moved on and named Rivers its starting QB. During that time, he burst onto the scene with a pair of star-making seasons in his first two years as a starter, but the success was shortlived.
After marvelous records during three of his first four seasons with the team, the Chargers struggled to get over the hump of mediocrity. The team won seven, eight, or nine games every year from 2010 to 2014, and followed that up with more mediocrity. Save for a 12-4 season in 2018, Rivers and the Chargers never got more than nine wins in a season after 2009.
In his late-thirties now, Rivers is hoping to get the wins that come with his superstar play with a team that has a history of winning. However, Rivers has concerns about where the NFL is headed as COVID-19 shows no times of slowing down in the months leading up to the season.
Rivers’ concerns
The COVID-19 pandemic will likely stretch to next year. Even if they get a handle on the situation, the virus will take time to slow down. With every sports league on the planet adopting strict rules regarding testing and protocol, they can’t afford to be loose with their current policies. From a medical standpoint, this is the right approach to take. Rivers, however, is looking at this from the side of a pro athlete.
He reportedly raised concerns during a recent call with the NFLPA. During the call, Rivers asked about the league’s current policies about asymptomatic carriers of the virus. Essentially, he wanted to know if somebody who tested positive but showed no symptoms would have to sit out. The answer, of course, was yes.
Even if a carrier of the virus is asymptomatic, they can pass it on to others by being close. Just because they were asymptomatic, after all, it doesn’t mean the others who came in contact would be. As such, it would be irresponsible for the league to allow such a player onto the field. However, if they can provide two negative tests within 24 hours before the Big Game in this scenario, they would be able to take the field.
All of this said, Rivers’ chances of reaching the Super Bowl might not hinge on health, but his ability to win games.
Can the Colts make it?
Following the 2019 season, the Colts hope that a year under an experienced quarterback like Rivers can elevate the team past where it was last year. While Jacoby Brissett did fine for a player forced into the starting role, the Colts stumbled throughout the second half of the season. Rivers adds a veteran arm, but it may not be enough to get the team over the hump.
Rivers has always been a top-notch quarterback, but his ability to elevate a mediocre roster has kept him from entering the pantheon of Brees or Brady. The team did not do enough to elevate its roster after last year to instill hope in fans. However, if he does surprise the league and elevate the Colts to a contender, his concerns may come to fruition.
