1. Scheme Fit

Colts’ head coach Frank Reich was the Chargers’ quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator from 2013-2015. Colts’ offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni was on the Chargers’ offensive staff from 2013-2017, including two seasons (2014 and 2015) as quarterbacks coach.

That three-season stretch working with most directly with Reich, either as his position coach or the coordinator, is arguably the best three-season stretch of Rivers’ career.

With Andrew Luck under center in 2018, the Colts were top-five in the league on offensive pace and top-10 in pass play percentage. Last year, with Brissett playing most of the snaps at quarterback of course, those numbers flipped to bottom-10 in pace and top-five in run play percentage. That shift should be considered a residual of having to change mode after Luck’s late retirement. So it’s not necessarily a huge knock on Brissett. Until Brissett got hurt, the formula was working.

That said, Rivers’ presence and inherent familiarity with the scheme should allow Reich and Sirianni to re-open up the Colts’ offense. That means a far faster pace, with autonomy given to Rivers, and a tilt back toward the passing game.

Brissett should not be given up on yet, but the Colts were clearly in the market for a short-term upgrade at quarterback. Rivers is the absolute perfect fit for that plan. The Colts look ready to be a legit contender this year.