Philip Rivers searching for NFL comeback, known as two groups earlier than playoffs in 2022: report

As franchise tags and free agent rumors swirl round as the brand new NFL 12 months approaches on March 15, right here’s one other one: Philip Rivers may need out of retirement. 

Rich Eisen simply returned from the NFL Scouting Combine, and put collectively an inventory of the highest 5 rumors he heard from a number of sources in Indianapolis, and his No. 5 on the checklist was that Rivers truly contacted two NFL groups previous to the playoffs beginning to see if his companies had been wanted. 

Rivers, 41, was by no means signed. 

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throwing a go through the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation towards the Buffalo Bills, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)

“We all know two groups that had been quarterback-needy on the finish of the season,” Eisen started. “Starting third-stringers and had an opportunity to go to the playoffs and possibly make a deep run within the playoffs, referring to the Miami Dolphins, and naturally, the San Francisco 49ers. I heard on the Combine that Philip Rivers contacted each of them to return again late final 12 months.”

Instead, the 49ers went with Brock Purdy, “Mr. Irrelevant” because the final decide in 2022 NFL Draft, and that was anticipated contemplating how effectively he was taking part in. The Dolphins went with Skylar Thompson, one other seventh-round rookie that just about had a big upset in him in Buffalo earlier than the Bills closed it out. 

But might Rivers nonetheless be looking for a crew that desires him? 

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The New Orleans Saints reportedly tried to lure their legend Drew Brees and Rivers out of retirement for one week through the 2021 season. Both quarterbacks declined. 

Speaking in Aug. 2021, Rivers, who was a first-year head soccer coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama didn’t rule out a return to the league. 

Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 and extensive receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers have a good time after they hook up on a 55 yard landing go within the first quarter towards the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium on September 25, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

“I’m not fairly there,” he advised the Los Angeles Times. “I’m getting again there. I wouldn’t have made weight if I needed to report final week, that’s for certain. But I get again into the lifting and working, and shoot, I sometimes throw a ball round out right here on this warmth. It’s not too exhausting to get an excellent lather going. 

“I’m simply going to remain prepared. I wish to make sure that I’m very clear: I’m not predicting I’ll play in December or January, for that matter. One, you’ve received to have someone who desires you, and two, it’s received to be proper. But I’ve not fully dominated that out.”

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The Saints don’t want a quarterback anymore, as they reportedly inked Derek Carr to a four-year pact that takes him off the board. Aaron Rodgers is one other wild card groups are ready to listen to from. 

But, because the NFL has proven us earlier than, quarterbacks popping out of retirement isn’t something new. Tom Brady did it this previous season. Heck, Brett Favre did it 3 times. 

Rivers spent 16 years with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, amassing eight Pro Bowls and changing into the crew’s all-time passing chief with 59,271 yards over 228 video games. Rivers was famously traded to the Chargers through the 2004 NFL Draft, the place the Giants chosen him fourth general and so they did a swap for Eli Manning. 

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers watches from the sideline through the first half of the Chargers’ NFL preseason soccer recreation towards the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Rivers’ final season within the league was with the Indianapolis Colts, a crew that went 11-5 through the 2020 season however misplaced within the wild-card spherical. Many didn’t consider it was a flash within the pan in Indy, however Rivers introduced his retirement after the season.